SENSE OF CONGRESS ON NORTH KOREA.

SEC. 1257. SENSE OF CONGRESS ON NORTH KOREA. It is the sense of Congress that— (1) diplomacy, economic sanctions, and credible deterrence are essential to address North Korea’s illicit weapons of mass destruction program and the conventional threat that North Korea poses to United States forces on the Korean Peninsula and to United States allies in the region; (2) North Korea’s recent missile tests are destabilizing, increase regional tensions, and run counter to the spirit of diplomatic negotiations; (3) every effort should be made to deter actions by North Korea that could lead to a military confrontation, which would pose extreme risks to— (A) United States military personnel; (B) noncombatants, including United States citizens and citizens of United States allies; and (C) regional security; (4) a sustained and credible diplomatic process based on concrete measures to achieve the denuclearization of North Korea and an eventual end to the Korean War should be pursued; (5) continued actions by North Korea that run counter to diplomatic negotiations call into question North Korea’s intentions and commitment to a diplomatic solution; and (6) until such time as North Korea no longer poses a threat to the United States or United States allies, the United States should, in concert with such allies, continue to deter North Korea through credible defense and deterrence posture.