,,ii #aagth ,,congress #b;d ,session ,s4 #dhbd ,,in ,,the ,,senate ,,of ,,the ,,united ,,states ,september #ac1 #bjbb,mr4 ,menendez 7for himself and ,mr4 ,hagerty7 introduced the following bill2 which was read twice and referred to the ,committee on ,foreign ,relations ,a ,,bill ,to provide for proper oversight of ,north ,korea policy1 and for other purposes4 #a4 ,short title ,this ,act may be cited as the ,north ,korea ,policy ,oversight ,act of #bjbb 4 #b4 ,definitions ,in this ,act3 7#a7 ,appropriate congressional committees ,the term appropriate congressional committees means-- 7,a7 the ,committee on ,foreign ,relations of the ,senate2 7,b7 the ,committee on ,appropriations of the ,senate2 7,c7 the ,committee on ,foreign ,affairs of the ,house of ,representatives2 and 7,d7 the ,committee on ,appropriations of the ,house of ,representatives4 7#b7 ,nuclear nonproliferation treaty ,the term nuclear nonproliferation treaty means the ,treaty on the ,non-,proliferation of ,nuclear ,weapons1 done at ,washington1 ,london1 and ,moscow ,july #a1 #aifh 7#ba ,,ust #dhc74 #c4 ,findings ,congress makes the following findings3 7#a7 ,the world faces a greater risk of nuclear conflict today than at any time since the height of the ,cold ,war1 due to ,russia's threatened use of nuclear weapons during its invasion of ,ukraine1 ,china's pursuing a rapid expansion of its nuclear arsenal1 ,iran's continued efforts to pursue nuclear weapons1 and ,kim ,jong-un's relentless pursuit of nuclear weapons and ballistic missiles in the face of global condemnation and severe economic sanctions by the international community4 7#b7 ,the ,north ,korean nuclear program did not arise instantaneously1 but is the culmination of the rogue regime's illegal efforts over #g decades to acquire a viable deterrent that threatens both the ,united ,states and our critical allies in the ,indo-,pacific region4 7#c7 ,north ,korea has conducted #f nuclear tests since #bjjf1 with each test increasing in explosive strength and sophistication4 7#d7 ,north ,korea's last nuclear test1 occurring on ,september #c1 #bjag1 was its largest nuclear explosion to date1 registering a #f4c magnitude earthquake according to the ,united ,states ,geological ,survey with an estimated yield of #adj kilotons4 7#e7 ,according to open source analysis1 ,north ,korea has produced enough fissile material for at least #cj to #fj nuclear weapons4 7#f7 ,north ,korea maintains a robust ballistic missile portfolio that includes a diverse array of delivery systems capable of striking targets throughout the region1 including short-range ,scuds1 medium-range ,no-,dong missiles1 an increasingly capable cruise missile program1 and intercontinental ballistic missiles that are potentially capable of targeting the ,united ,states homeland4 7#g7 ,the ,department of ,defense estimates that ,north ,korea currently wields approximately #bjj launchers capable of firing short and medium range ballistic missiles4 7#h7 ,since ,january #bjbb1 ,north ,korea has conducted #ac ballistic missile tests1 including at least three assessed in open source analysis to be intercontinental ballistic missiles4 7#i7 ,rigorous international economic sanctions applied since the passage of the ,north ,korea ,sanctions and ,policy ,enhancement ,act of #bjaf 7,public ,law #aad-abb71 including by the ,united ,states and the ,united ,nations ,security ,council1 intensified pressure on the regime and focused international attention on the urgency of the challenge posed by the ,kim regime in ,pyongyang4 7#aj7 ,the ,government of the ,democratic ,people's ,republic of ,korea has flagrantly defied the international community by illicitly developing its nuclear and ballistic missile programs1 in violation of ,united ,nations ,security ,council ,resolutions #agah 7#bjjf71 #ahgd 7#bjji71 #bjhg 7#bjac71 #bjid 7#bjac71 #bbgj 7#bjaf71 #bcba 7#bjaf71 #bcga 7#bjag71 #bcge 7#bjag71 and #bcig 7#bjag74 7#aa7 ,the ,government of the ,democratic ,people's ,republic of ,korea engages in gross human rights abuses against its own people and citizens of other countries1 including the ,united ,states1 the ,republic of ,korea1 and ,japan4 7#ab7 ,in #bjah and #bjai1 the ,united ,states and ,north ,korea engaged in intensive diplomacy1 including three leader-level summits between ,donald ,trump and ,kim ,jong-,un1 resulting in the first leader-level commitment from ,north ,korea to denuclearize1 as stated in the #bjah ,singapore ,joint ,statement4 7#ac7 ,the stakes for the security of the ,united ,states and ,united ,states allies are such that all credible diplomatic options must be prioritized1 resourced1 and fully pursued1 in addition to maintaining robust and credible deterrence4 7#ad7 ,economic pressure and sanctions provide critical leverage in any such diplomatic negotiations and must be maintained and strengthened until the ,north ,korean regime takes meaningful and verifiable actions toward denuclearization4 7#ae7 ,the ,north ,korean regime has a record of failing to live up to its diplomatic commitments1 rejecting good faith efforts by ,united ,states and international negotiators1 and leveraging talks to extract concessions such as sanctions relief4 7#af7 ,in order to prevent the ,north ,korean regime from further developing1 using1 or disseminating nuclear or ballistic weapons1 technology1 and related material1 the ,united ,states ,government should continue a campaign of economic pressure and sanctions1 counter-proliferation1 containment1 and deterrence until ,north ,korea completely1 verifiably1 and irreversibly denuclearizes4 7#ag7 ,the ,north ,korea ,sanctions and ,policy ,enhancement ,act of #bjaf states that there can be no sanctions relief unless ,north ,korea has made significant progress toward completely1 verifiably1 and irreversibly dismantling all of its nuclear1 chemical1 biological1 and radiological weapons programs1 including all programs for the development of systems designed in whole or in part for the delivery of such weapons4 7#ah7 ,the ,united ,states ,government has successfully pursued a policy of deterrence1 which has kept the ,american people safe from a nuclear attack from the ,russian ,federation1 ,china1 and other states with nuclear weapons1 which have a combined nuclear arsenal of more than #g1jjj warheads4 7#ai7 ,over time1 the ,united ,states policy of deterrence1 containment1 and diplomacy to reduce nuclear weapons risks protected the ,american people and contributed to the peaceful dissolution of the ,soviet ,union4 7#bj7 ,the ,united ,states1 the ,republic of ,korea1 and ,japan are all free societies that are committed to the principles of inclusive democracy1 respect for human potential and individual freedom1 and the belief that the peaceful spread of these principles will result in a safer and brighter future for all of mankind4 7#ba7 ,the ,governments and people of the ,united ,states1 the ,republic of ,korea1 and ,japan can help realize this future through further strengthening their economic1 political1 social1 cultural1 and security relationships4 7#bb7 ,the ,governments and people of the ,united ,states1 the ,republic of ,korea1 and ,japan share a commitment to free and open markets1 high standards for the free flow of commerce and trade1 and the establishment of an inclusive architecture for regional and global trade and development4 7#bc7 ,the ,united ,states-,japan and ,united ,states-,republic of ,korea security alliances have evolved considerably over many decades and will continue to share greater responsibilities and dedicate themselves to a secure and prosperous region and world4 7#bd7 ,robust military posture1 including regular training and exercises1 by the ,united ,states1 the ,republic of ,korea1 and ,japan1 is critical to ensuring peace and stability in ,northeast ,asia4 7#be7 ,in the absence of an imminent threat to the ,united ,states or its allies1 a preventive war against ,north ,korea would pose extraordinary risks to the ,united ,states and security in ,northeast ,asia and would require consent of ,congress under article ,i of the ,constitution4 7#bf7 ,with ,china engaging in a strategic breakout1 as noted by ,united ,states ,strategic ,commander ,admiral ,charles ,richard in ,august #bjba1 the ,united ,states faces an unprecedented strategic challenge in the ,indo-,pacific region as ,china's nuclear weapons program will alter the nuclear balance in the ,indo-,pacific1 including ,northeast ,asia4 7#bg7 ,an effective policy of deterrence requires-- 7,a7 clear1 consistent1 and credible messaging of costs to an adversary such that it recognizes that its use of nuclear weapons would result in massive retaliation2 and 7,b7 the vigorous use of diplomatic1 economic1 military1 and other coercive tools to ensure stable deterrence and prevent an adversary from proliferating material or technology4 7#bh7 ,the ,united ,states requires a comprehensive diplomatic strategy that outlines the fundamental principles1 actions1 and verification and compliance mechanisms necessary to properly engage the ,government of the ,democratic ,people's ,republic of ,korea on the full denuclearization of ,north ,korea4 #d4 ,statements of policy 7a7 ,in general ,it is the policy of the ,united ,states-- 7#a7 to pursue all credible diplomatic means to achieve the complete and verifiable dismantlement of ,north ,korean nuclear weapons and ballistic and cruise missile programs2 7#b7 until such time as denuclearization is achieved-- 7,a7 to deter ,north ,korea from using weapons of mass destruction or leveraging those weapons to coerce ,united ,states allies2 7,b7 to contain attempts by ,north ,korea to proliferate such weapons and technologies2 7,c7 to ensure that the ,united ,states and allies maintain credible deterrence against ,north ,korea1 including the presence of ,united ,states military troops in the ,korean ,peninsula and ,japan1 as well as the development and deployment of new military capabilities2 and 7,d7 to continue the maximum pressure campaign against ,north ,korea and its enablers1 in cooperation with the ,united ,nations and the international community2 7#c7 should diplomacy and deterrence fail to result in the complete1 verifiable denuclearization of ,north ,korea1 to reserve the right to utilize all available options to protect and defend ,united ,states national security interests and meet ,united ,states treaty obligations2 and 7#d7 to uphold the ,nuclear ,nonproliferation ,treaty and not recognize ,north ,korea as a legitimate nuclear weapons state4 7b7 ,diplomacy ,it is the policy of the ,united ,states-- 7#a7 to pursue diplomatic engagement1 as appropriate and consistent with ,united ,states national security interests1 with the ,north ,korean regime for the purposes of-- 7,a7 advancing meaningful negotiations regarding denuclearization1 including the ,government of ,north ,korea abandoning and dismantling its unlawful missile and nuclear weapons programs1 ceasing its proliferation activities1 and coming into compliance with all relevant international agreements and ,united ,nations ,security ,council resolutions2 7,b7 reducing the risks of military miscalculation2 and 7,c7 creating opportunities for the development of confidence building measures as part of a broader effort to denuclearize ,north ,korea2 7#b7 to formulate and carry out policy affecting the ,korean ,peninsula in close cooperation with ,united ,states allies1 particularly the ,republic of ,korea2 7#c7 to encourage all nations to deny ,north ,korea the ability to maintain diplomatic missions on foreign soil until such time as the ,government of the ,democratic ,people's ,republic of ,korea takes credible and verifiable steps toward denuclearization2 7#d7 to encourage all nations to fully implement and enforce ,united ,nations sanctions with respect to ,north ,korea1 including sanctions related to ending the practice of hosting overseas ,north ,korean workers2 7#e7 to increase the effectiveness of ,united ,states sanctions by seeking to work through the ,united ,nations and with other like-minded countries to ensure a multilateral approach to sanctions2 7#f7 to provide unmistakable assurance to ,japan and the ,republic of ,korea1 including through extended deterrence commitments and the presence of forward-deployed ,united ,states military forces1 that the ,united ,states is committed to fulfilling its treaty obligations if they are attacked2 7#g7 to resist actions by the ,people's ,republic of ,china 7,,prc7 to use ,north ,korea issues as a way to draw the attention of the ,united ,states ,government away from other important regional issues and challenges2 7#h7 to provide support for ,north ,korean refugees and asylum seekers in accordance with ,united ,states law2 7#i7 to promote the human rights and dignity of the ,north ,korean people1 including through the ,united ,nations and other multilateral institutions2 and 7#aj7 to seek opportunities for humanitarian actions1 such as family reunification and the return of human remains4 7c7 ,economic pressure ,it is the policy of the ,united ,states to sustain and calibrate economic pressure on ,north ,korea until the regime undertakes meaningful and verifiable actions toward denuclearization1 including by-- 7#a7 encouraging all nations to robustly implement and enforce existing ,united ,nations sanctions2 7#b7 leveraging the strength of the ,united ,states financial system to deny access by the ,government of the ,democratic ,people's ,republic of ,korea and those with whom such government facilitates illicit financial transactions to the ,united ,states and global markets1 including through the use of secondary sanctions2 7#c7 encouraging all nations1 consistent with ,united ,nations ,security ,council resolutions1 to end the practice of hosting ,north ,korean citizens as guest workers1 recognizing that such workers are demonstrated to constitute an illicit source of revenue for the ,kim regime and its nuclear ambitions2 7#d7 working with the international community on rigorous interdiction of shipments to and from ,north ,korea1 including ship-to-ship transfers1 consistent with ,united ,nations ,security ,council resolutions that have banned nearly every major export from ,north ,korea2 and 7#e7 strictly implementing and enforcing ,united ,states laws with respect to sanctioning entities1 including ,russian and ,chinese entities1 that knowingly engage with sanctioned entities from ,north ,korea or trade in items prohibited under ,united ,nations ,security ,council resolutions4 7d7 ,proliferation of nuclear and missile technology ,it is the policy of the ,united ,states-- 7#a7 to prevent the transfer of nuclear weapons1 missile technology1 or related material to or from ,north ,korea and other states or non-state actors2 7#b7 to support the efforts of the international community to detect1 interdict1 and prevent the transfers of nuclear or missile technology or related items to or from ,north ,korea2 7#c7 to prioritize close coordination with global partners1 including through technical assistance and capacity building1 to enhance the ability of the global community to monitor1 interdict1 and prosecute entities that engage in transfer of nuclear weapons1 missile technology1 or related material to or from ,north ,korea2 and 7#d7 consistent with ,united ,states obligations under the ,nuclear ,nonproliferation ,treaty to encourage all countries that are party to such treaty and ,international ,atomic ,energy ,agency agreements to abide by their obligations and commitments4 7e7 ,alliances and military posture ,it is the policy of the ,united ,states-- 7#a7 to reaffirm the importance of the ,united ,states-,japan and ,united ,states-,republic of ,korea alliances for maintaining peace and stability in the ,indo-,pacific region and beyond2 7#b7 to reaffirm ,united ,states extended deterrence commitments to ,japan and the ,republic of ,korea1 and to back up such commitments with concrete actions such as prioritizing nuclear modernization to sustain credible deterrence2 7#c7 to reaffirm the importance of the forward-deployed presence of ,united ,states military forces in ,japan and ,korea1 and affirm close alliance coordination on any adjustment of ,united ,states military posture in the region2 7#d7 to strengthen ,united ,states efforts to confront emerging or asymmetric challenges1 including cyber and space2 7#e7 to safeguard maritime security and ensure freedom of navigation1 commerce1 and overflight in the ,indo-,pacific region2 and 7#f7 to cooperate with allies and partners in the provision of public goods to the region1 including humanitarian relief and disaster response4 7f7 ,military measures ,it is the policy of the ,united ,states-- 7#a7 to keep ,united ,states security commitments to ,united ,states allies in the face of ,north ,korea's continuing threat1 including taking necessary actions for ,united ,states self-defense and the defense of ,united ,states allies1 including joint military exercises1 modernization of weapons systems deployed in the region1 and robust counter-provocation planning by the ,united ,states and ,republic of ,korea ,combined ,forces ,command2 7#b7 consistent with longstanding ,united ,states interests in maintaining stability in ,asia1 to develop and deploy effective and reliable anti-ballistic missile capabilities to defend the ,united ,states homeland1 ,united ,states forces in the region1 and ,united ,states allies ,japan and ,south ,korea2 7#c7 to formulate and carry out military planning and operations impacting the ,korean ,peninsula in close cooperation with ,united ,states allies1 particularly the ,republic of ,korea and ,japan2 7#d7 to deter ,north ,korea in a manner that bolsters the force posture and military strength of our alliance and partner networks in the broader ,asia-,pacific region2 and 7#e7 to maintain1 as necessary and appropriate1 credible and overwhelming military options against the ,government of the ,democratic ,people's ,republic of ,korea1 consistent with efforts to deter the regime from use of nuclear weapons1 ballistic missiles1 and related technology4 7g7 ,human rights ,it is the policy of the ,united ,states-- 7#a7 to continue to make it a priority to improve information access in ,north ,korea by exploring the use of new and emerging technologies and expanding nongovernmental radio broadcasting to ,north ,korea1 including news and information1 to increase information dissemination in the ,democratic ,people's ,republic of ,korea 7,,dprk72 7#b7 to commit to exploring appropriate opportunities for coordinating efforts to plan for humanitarian needs in the ,,dprk2 7#c7 to press for non-choreographed access for the ,special ,rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the ,,dprk and the ,united ,nations ,high ,commissioner for ,human ,rights2 7#d7 to continue to seek cooperation from foreign governments to allow the ,united ,states to process ,north ,korean refugees overseas for ,united ,states resettlement2 7#e7 to urge the ,government of the ,people's ,republic of ,china to halt forcible repatriation of ,north ,koreans2 7#f7 to promote democracy1 human rights1 and a market economy in ,north ,korea2 7#g7 to increase the availability of nongovernmental controlled information inside ,north ,korea2 and 7#h7 to uphold the ,north ,korean regime to resolve the issue of ,japanese citizens abducted by the ,north ,korean regime and to emphasize the need for their safe return4 7h7 ,information dissemination efforts ,it is the policy of the ,united ,states-- 7#a7 to increase the flow of information1 news1 and cultural programming into ,north ,korea1 including through radio and television broadcasts1 digital media1 and other means2 7#b7 to increase the flow of information to ,north ,korean citizens1 including through radio and television broadcasts1 digital media1 and other means2 and 7#c7 to fulfill all requirements under ,united ,states law1 including the ,north ,korea ,sanctions and ,policy ,enhancement ,act of #bjaf1 with regard to providing resources for freedom of information efforts into ,north ,korea1 and to regularly consult with ,congress regarding such efforts4 7i7 ,strategy required 7#a7 ,in general ,the ,president shall submit to the national security committees a detailed strategy1 which may include a classified annex1 for the implementation of policies outlined in subsections 7b7 through 7h71 augmented by briefings to the national security committees on a quarterly basis or as requested4 7#b7 ,national security committees defined ,in this subsection1 the term national security committees means-- 7,a7 the ,committee on ,armed ,services1 the ,select ,committee on ,intelligence1 and the ,committee on ,foreign ,relations of the ,senate2 and 7,b7 the ,committee on ,armed ,services1 the ,permanent ,select ,committee on ,intelligence1 and the ,committee on ,foreign ,affairs of the ,house of ,representatives4 #e4 ,diplomatic strategy 7a7 ,diplomatic strategy report 7#a7 ,in general ,not later than #ahj days after the date of the enactment of this ,act1 and every #ahj days thereafter for a period of two years1 the ,president shall submit to the appropriate congressional committees a report that describes-- 7,a7 how the diplomatic negotiations with the ,government of the ,democratic ,people's ,republic of ,korea are expected to proceed2 and 7,b7 actions taken by the ,united ,states ,government to address the threats posed by1 and the capabilities of1 the ,democratic ,people's ,republic of ,korea4 7#b7 ,elements ,each report required under paragraph 7#a7 shall include-- 7,a7 an overview of ongoing efforts by the ,united ,states ,government to develop diplomatic strategies to ensure that ,north ,korea returns to negotiations with the ,united ,states1 as well as a negotiation strategy for the ,united ,states ,government in the event that ,north ,korea returns to negotiations with the ,united ,states1 including an assessment of strategies-- 7i7 to achieve peaceful denuclearization of ,north ,korea2 7ii7 to eliminate the threat posed by the ballistic and cruise missile programs of the ,democratic ,people's ,republic of ,korea2 and 7iii7 to continue the maximum pressure campaign1 in coordination with ,united ,states allies2 7,b7 an assessment of-- 7i7 the roadmap toward peaceful denuclearization of ,north ,korea and the elimination of the nuclear1 ballistic1 and cruise missile threats posed by the ,democratic ,people's ,republic of ,korea2 7ii7 specific actions that the ,government of the ,democratic ,people's ,republic of ,korea would need to take for such roadmap to become viable2 7iii7 specific actions that the ,united ,states ,government could possibly take for such roadmap to become viable2 7iv7 specific actions that other countries in the ,indo-,pacific1 including the ,republic of ,korea1 ,japan1 ,china1 and ,russia1 could possibly take for such roadmap to become viable2 and 7v7 specific actions that international and regional institutions could possibly take for such roadmap to become viable2 and 7,c7 a summary of the ,united ,states strategy to increase international coordination and cooperation1 whether unilaterally1 bilaterally1 or multilaterally1 including sanctions implementation1 enforcement1 and interdiction-- 7i7 to encourage credible diplomatic engagement by the ,,dprk2 and 7ii7 to address any threat posed by the nuclear1 ballistic1 and cruise missile programs of the ,democratic ,people's ,republic of ,korea4 7#c7 ,form ,each report required under this subsection shall be submitted in unclassified form1 but may include a classified annex4 7#d7 ,updates ,should the ,united ,states and ,north ,korea engage in bilateral or multilateral diplomacy to achieve1 implement1 or verify that ,north ,korea's denuclearization is ongoing1 the ,president shall augment the first strategy report submitted with written updates on the negotiation process1 to be submitted to the appropriate congressional committees every #de days thereafter4 7b7 ,policy of the ,united ,states with respect to sanctions against the ,democratic ,people's ,republic of ,korea ,not later than #cj days after terminating any sanction with respect to the activities of the ,government of the ,democratic ,people's ,republic of ,korea1 a person acting for or on behalf of that government1 or any other person as provided for in ,executive ,order #acfhg or ,executive ,order #acgbb1 to the extent relevant1 the ,secretary of ,state shall submit to the appropriate congressional committees a report regarding the cessation of any illicit activity1 including any implicated by ,united ,nations ,security ,council ,resolution #agah 7#bjjf71 #ahgd 7#bjji71 #bjhg 7#bjac71 #bjid 7#bjac71 #bbgj 7#bjaf71 #bcba 7#bjaf71 #bcga 7#bjag71 or #bcge 7#bjag71 by that government or person4 7c7 ,alliances and military posture and extended deterrence 7#a7 ,report on ,united ,states force posture in the ,united ,states ,indo-,pacific command area of responsibility 7,a7 ,in general ,not later than #ij days after the date of the enactment of this ,act1 and annually thereafter for a period of two years1 the ,secretary of ,defense shall submit to the appropriate congressional committees a report providing an assessment of the effect of any negotiations or agreements with the ,,dprk on ,united ,states security interests and ,united ,states military presence and alliance implications in the ,united ,states ,indo-,pacific ,command area of responsibility4 7,b7 ,elements ,the report required under subparagraph 7,a7 shall include-- 7i7 a review of current and emerging ,united ,states national security interests in the ,united ,states ,indo-,pacific ,command area of responsibility2 7ii7 a review of current ,united ,states military force posture and deployment plans of the ,united ,states ,indo-,pacific ,command2 and 7iii7 the views of counterpart governments1 including military commanders in the region1 of the impact of negotiations or agreements with the ,,dprk on ,united ,states extended deterrence commitments to the ,republic of ,korea4 7#b7 ,report on ,united ,states force posture in the ,united ,states ,forces ,korea area of responsibility 7,a7 ,in general ,not later than #ij days after the date of the enactment of this ,act1 and every year thereafter for a period of two years1 the ,secretary of ,defense shall submit to the appropriate congressional committees a report providing an assessment of the effect of any negotiations or agreements with the ,,dprk on ,united ,states security interests and ,united ,states military presence and alliance implications in the ,united ,states ,forces ,korea area of responsibility4 7,b7 ,elements ,the report required under subparagraph 7,a7 shall include-- 7i7 a review of current and emerging ,united ,states national security interests in the ,united ,states ,forces ,korea area of responsibility2 7ii7 a review of current ,united ,states military force posture and deployment plans of the ,united ,states ,forces ,korea2 and 7iii7 the views of counterpart governments1 including military commanders in the region1 of the impact of negotiations or agreements with the ,,dprk on ,united ,states extended deterrence commitments to the ,republic of ,korea4 7#c7 ,report on ,united ,states force posture in the ,united ,states forces ,japan area of responsibility 7,a7 ,in general ,not later than #ij days after the date of the enactment of this ,act1 and annually thereafter for a period of two years1 the ,secretary of ,defense shall submit to the appropriate congressional committees a report providing an assessment of the effect of any negotiations or agreements with the ,,dprk on ,united ,states security interests and ,united ,states military presence and alliance implications in the ,united ,states ,forces ,japan area of responsibility4 7,b7 ,elements ,the report required under subparagraph 7,a7 shall include-- 7i7 a review of current and emerging ,united ,states national security interests in the ,united ,states ,forces ,japan area of responsibility2 7ii7 a review of current ,united ,states military force posture and deployment plans of the ,united ,states ,forces ,japan2 and 7iii7 the views of counterpart governments1 including military commanders in the region1 of the impact of negotiations or agreements with the ,,dprk on ,united ,states extended deterrence commitments to ,japan4 7#d7 ,authority to consolidate reports ,any reports required to be submitted under this subsection to the appropriate congressional committees that are subject to a deadline for submission consisting of the same unit of time may be consolidated into a single report4 ,the consolidated report shall contain all information required under this ,act with respect to the reports comprising such consolidated report4 #f4 ,briefings 7a7 ,member briefings 7#a7 ,in general ,following each round of diplomatic talks between the ,united ,states and ,north ,korea1 the ,secretary of ,state and the ,director of ,national ,intelligence shall hold1 for the appropriate congressional committees and congressional leaders1 briefings on the negotiations4 7#b7 ,classification ,the briefings required under paragraph shall be held in a classified format4 7b7 ,staff briefings 7#a7 ,in general ,not later than #ij days after the date of the enactment of this ,act1 the ,secretary of ,state1 with the concurrence of the ,director of ,national ,intelligence1 shall hold monthly briefings for cleared national security staff members of the appropriate congressional committees4 7#b7 ,classification ,the briefings required under paragraph 7#a7 shall be held in a classified format4 #g4 ,congressional hearings ,during each quarterly period that diplomatic talks undertaken between the ,united ,states and ,north ,korea continue1 the ,committee on ,foreign ,relations of the ,senate and the ,committee on ,foreign ,affairs of the ,house of ,representatives shall1 as appropriate1 hold hearings and otherwise obtain information in order to fully review the negotiations4 #h4 ,oversight of agreements with ,north ,korea 7a7 ,transmission to congress of nuclear agreements with north korea and verification assessment with respect to such agreements 7#a7 ,transmission of agreements ,not later than #e days after reaching an agreement with ,north ,korea relating to the nuclear and missile program of ,north ,korea1 the ,president shall transmit to the appropriate congressional committees1 the majority and minority leader of the ,senate and the ,speaker1 majority leader1 and minority leader of the ,house of ,representatives-- 7,a7 the agreement1 including all related materials and annexes2 and 7,b7 a verification assessment report prepared by the ,secretary of ,state in accordance with paragraph 7#b74 7#b7 ,verification assessment report 7,a7 ,in general ,the ,secretary of ,state shall prepare1 with respect to an agreement described in paragraph 7#a71 a report assessing-- 7i7 the extent to which the ,united ,states ,government will be able to verify that ,north ,korea is complying with its obligations and commitments under the agreement1 including how ,north ,korea might attempt to conceal its program2 7ii7 the adequacy of the safeguards and other control mechanisms and other assurances contained in the agreement with respect to ,north ,korean nuclear and missile programs to ensure ,north ,korea activities are limited to the subset of activities permitted under the agreement2 and 7iii7 the capacity and capability of the ,united ,states and international organizations1 such as the ,international ,atomic ,energy ,agency1 to effectively implement the verification regime required by or related to the agreement1 including whether the ,united ,states or international organizations will have-- 7,i7 sufficient access to-- 7aa7 all nuclear facilities that span the entire nuclear fuel cycle2 7bb7 facilities associated with the nuclear weaponization program2 7cc7 facilities associated with its missile program2 and 7dd7 declared and undeclared sites2 and 7,,ii7 the ability to investigate suspicious sites or allegations of covert nuclear-related activities4 7,b7 ,classified annex ,the report required under subparagraph 7,a7 shall be transmitted in unclassified form1 but shall include a classified annex prepared in consultation with the ,director of ,national ,intelligence1 summarizing relevant classified information4 7b7 ,sense of congress on north korea final agreement ,it is the sense of ,congress that any binding agreement between the ,united ,states and the ,democratic ,people's ,republic of ,korea should be submitted to the ,united ,states as a treaty and subject to the advice and consent of the ,senate in accordance with article ,,ii1 section #b1 clause #b of the ,constitution of the ,united ,states4 #i4 ,additional reports 7a7 ,verification and compliance reports 7#a7 ,in general ,not later than #ij days after entering into an agreement with ,north ,korea1 the ,secretary of ,state1 with the concurrence of the ,director of ,national ,intelligence1 shall submit to the appropriate congressional committees a report on ,north ,korea's record of verification and compliance4 7#b7 ,classification ,the report required under paragraph-- 7,a7 may be submitted in classified form2 7,b7 shall contain an unclassified executive summary2 and 7,c7 may contain an unclassified annex4 7b7 ,semi-,annual report ,not later than #ahj days after entering into an agreement with ,north ,korea1 and not less frequently than once every #ahj days thereafter for a period of two years1 the ,president shall submit to the appropriate congressional committees and leadership a report on ,north ,korea's nuclear and missile program and the compliance of ,north ,korea with the agreement during the period covered by the report1 which shall include-- 7#a7 a description of any action or failure to act by the ,government of the ,democratic ,people's ,republic of ,korea that breached the agreement or is in noncompliance with the terms of the agreement2 7#b7 a description of the status and activities of any ,north ,korea nuclear facilities related to the nuclear fuel cycle1 including mining and exploration1 milling1 conversion1 enrichment1 fuel fabrication1 reactors1 reprocessing1 and storage2 7#c7 a description of the status and activities of any ,north ,korea nuclear facilities related to the ,north ,korean nuclear weaponization program1 including research and development1 education and training1 and testing2 7#d7 a description of the status and activities of any ,north ,korea missile facilities1 including research and development1 production1 testing1 and basing2 7#e7 a description of any delay by the ,government of the ,democratic ,people's ,republic of ,korea of more than #a week in providing inspectors access to facilities1 people1 and documents in ,north ,korea as required by the agreement2 7#f7 a description of any covert nuclear activities undertaken by the ,government of the ,democratic ,people's ,republic of ,korea1 including any covert nuclear weapons-related1 covert fissile material activities1 covert missile activities1 or research and development2 and 7#g7 a description of any transfer or diversion by the ,government of the ,democratic ,people's ,republic of ,korea of its nuclear materials1 components1 technology1 or equipment to state or non-state actors4 #aj4 ,report on ,north ,korean cyber activities to fund its weapons program 7a7 ,finding ,as ,north ,korea continues to be cut off from the international financial system1 ,north ,korea increasingly relies on new methods and means--such as cryptocurrency1 digital currency1 and cyberattacks--to finance its nuclear weapons and ballistic missiles programs4 ,a ,february #bjbb ,united ,nations report found that ,north ,korean hackers stole more than #ej1jjj1jjj in cryptocurrencies between #bjbj and mid-#bjba4 ,the report follows the ,united ,nations' #bjai findings that ,north ,korea had accumulated an estimated #b1jjj1jjj1jjj in stolen assets to facilitate its weapons program through cyberattacks4 7b7 ,report 7#a7 ,in general ,not later than #ahj days after the date of enactment of this ,act1 and annually thereafter1 the ,secretary of ,state1 in coordination with the ,secretary of ,defense1 the ,director of ,national ,intelligence1 the ,director of the ,federal ,bureau of ,investigation1 the ,secretary of the ,treasury1 and the ,attorney ,general1 shall submit to the appropriate congressional committees a report on ,north ,korea's use of cyberattacks and cryptocurrency and other digital currency to finance its nuclear weapons and ballistic missiles programs1 including through the evasion of sanctions4 7#b7 ,elements ,the report required under subparagraph 7,a7 shall include-- 7,a7 a review of how ,north ,korea uses cyberattacks1 including stealing virtual assets1 to support its nuclear weapons and ballistic missiles programs2 7,b7 a discussion of how cryptocurrency exchanges and exchange operators facilitate ,north ,korean theft1 and recommendations for sanctioning persons and entities linked to illicit cryptocurrency exchange2 7,c7 a review of how the ,united ,states ,government is tracing1 disrupting1 interdicting1 and deterring these attacks1 including-- 7i7 efforts to deter telecommunications companies from facilitating ,north ,korean cyberattacks directed at digital financial platforms2 7ii7 efforts to deter over-the-counter 7,,otc7 brokers and other actors from laundering digital assets and converting such assets to fiat currencies2 7iii7 efforts to coordinate cryptocurrency regulations with partners and allies1 including through forums like the ,united ,nations1 the ,financial ,action ,task ,force1 the ,group of ,seven1 and the ,group of ,twenty2 and 7iv7 efforts to increase intelligence sharing on cyber threats with partners and allies to better trace ,north ,korean cyberattacks and cyber theft of digital assets2 and 7,d7 a review of how the ,united ,states ,government is working with its allies and partners1 as well as international institutions and the private sector1 to trace1 disrupt1 interdict1 and deter ,north ,korea's cyberattacks4 #aa4 ,imposition of sanctions with respect to use of cryptocurrency to evade sanctions imposed with respect to ,north ,korea and abduction by ,north ,korean persons of citizens of ,japan ,section #ajd7;a7 of the ,north ,korea ,sanctions and ,policy ,enhancement ,act of #bjaf 7#bb ,u4,s4,c4 #ibad7;a77 is amended-- 7#a7 in paragraph 7#ad71 by striking 2 or and inserting a semicolon2 7#b7 by redesignating paragraph 7#ae7 as paragraph 7#ag72 7#c7 by inserting after paragraph 7#ad7 the following3 7#ae7 knowingly uses or has used1 or directly facilitates or has directly facilitated the use of1 cryptocurrency1 a digital currency1 or a comparable monetary instrument to evade sanctions with respect to ,north ,korea imposed by the ,united ,states or pursuant to an applicable ,united ,nations ,security ,council resolution2 7#af7 is a ,north ,korean person and knowingly participated in or facilitated the abduction of a citizen of ,japan2 or 2 and 7#d7 in paragraph 7#ag71 as redesignated by paragraph 7#b7 of this section1 by striking 7#ad7 and inserting 7#af74 #ab4 ,report on the political1 economic1 social stability of ,north ,korea ,not later than #ahj days after the enactment of this ,act1 the ,secretary of ,state1 the ,secretary of ,defense1 and the ,director of ,national ,intelligence shall jointly submit to ,congress a classified report on the political1 economic1 and social stability of ,north ,korea4 #ac4 ,special representative for ,north ,korea 7a7 ,in general ,there is established1 within the ,department of ,state1 the ,office of the ,special ,representative for ,north ,korea 7in this section referred to as the ,office74 ,the head of the ,office shall have the rank and status of ambassador and shall be appointed by the ,president1 by and with the advice and consent of the ,senate4 ,the head of the ,office shall report directly to the ,secretary of ,state4 7b7 ,duties ,the head of the ,office shall have such duties and exercise such powers as the ,secretary of ,state shall prescribe1 including implementing the policy of the ,united ,states towards ,north ,korea1 preparations for possible negotiations with ,north ,korea1 and long-term planning for various scenarios with respect to the ,korean ,peninsula4 7c7 ,independence of the ,office ,the ,office of the ,special ,representative for ,north ,korea shall maintain management and budget independence and shall maintain an adequate number of dedicated staff4 7d7 ,briefing ,not later than #ahj days after the date of the enactment of this ,act1 the ,department of ,state shall brief the appropriate congressional committees on the structure and priorities of the ,office1 including with respect to staffing and management4