US Congress Demands Submission of Extended Deterrence Commitment Plan to the Department of Defense
Trump Era Troop Reduction Limitation Clause Not Restored
Trump Refused to Sign Bill Restricting US Troop Reduction in South Korea During His First Term,
, ‘[Anchor]’,
, ‘Ahead of President-elect Donald Trump’s inauguration next month, the US Congress has agreed on a defense authorization bill that maintains the current level of US forces in South Korea.’,
,
, ‘However, the clause limiting US troop reduction in South Korea has been omitted, leading to concerns that the Trump administration may pressure South Korea regarding defense cost-sharing.’,
,
, ‘This is a report by Jeong Yu-shin.’,
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, ‘[Reporter]’,
, ‘This is the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) agreed upon jointly by the US Senate and House Armed Services Committees for next year.’,
,
, ‘It states that the current deployment of 28,500 US troops in South Korea will be maintained and reaffirms the commitment to extended deterrence using all military capabilities.’,
,
, ‘To achieve this, US Congress has demanded that the Department of Defense submit a concrete plan for extended deterrence commitments to South Korea by March 1st of next year.’,
,
, ‘This plan is to include the nuclear consultation process between the US and South Korea in emergencies, the method of information sharing, and the budget, personnel, and resources necessary to strengthen extended deterrence.’,
,
, ‘Such provisions have been part of the defense authorization law for several years under the Biden administration with similar wording.’,
,
, ‘However, the restriction clause on reducing US troops in South Korea, established during Trump’s first term, has not been reinstated this time.’,
,
, ‘At that time, US Congress specified troop levels and prohibited the use of related funds in the bill to prevent Trump from reducing US forces in South Korea.’,
,
, ‘As a result, former President Trump refused to sign the bill, leading Congress to reapprove it.’,
,
, ‘With the Biden administration not pursuing reductions in US forces in South Korea, the restriction clause was removed.’,
,
, “During the election campaign, Trump compared South Korea to a ‘money machine’ or ATM, claiming it would pay about 13 trillion won annually, nine times the current amount.”,
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, “[Donald Trump/US President-Elect (October 15th): If I were in the White House, they would have paid $10 billion (13.5 trillion won) annually. Because South Korea is a ‘money machine’ (ATM).]”,
,
, ‘Thus, when the Trump administration begins next month, the risk associated with Trump’s approach to South Korea’s defense cost-sharing may become a reality.’,
,
, ‘However, with South Korea’s diplomatic and security sectors effectively paralyzed due to impeachment proceedings, quick responses to Trump’s return are deemed impossible by international reports.’,
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, ‘This was Jeong Yu-shin from YTN.’,
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, ‘Video editing: Han Kyung-hee’,
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, “※ ‘Your report becomes news'”,
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, ‘[Phone] 02-398-8585’,
, ‘[Email] social@ytn.co.kr\n’]