On 5 December the Senate Armed Services Committee interviewed Robert Gates on a variety of DoD issues, including three questions each directly related to North Korea and South Korea (PDF):

Question: What is your assessment of the current security situation on the Korean peninsula and the diplomatic efforts to date to persuade North Korea to verifiably dismantle its nuclear weapons program?

North Korea’s large, albeit aging, conventional capability and its pursuit of asymmetric capabilities in the form of WMD and missile delivery systems present a significant challenge to the U.S., our allies, the region, and the international community.

I understand the U.S. strategy remains centered on maintaining peace through deterrence and diplomacy. Our ROK and Japan alliances remain strong, and the combined capabilities of the ROK and U.S. remain ready. Our growing missile defense relationship with Japan is an important contribution to our deterrent posture.

I am told the U.S. is working closely with our allies, our Six Party Talks partners, and the international community to persuade North Korea to live up to its agreements as codified in the September 19, 2005 Joint Statement.

Question: What is your assessment of the threat posed to the United States and its allies by North Korea’s ballistic missile and WMD capabilities and the export of those capabilities?

North Korea’s continuing pursuit of asymmetric capabilities in the form of WMD and missile delivery systems presents a significant security challenge to the United States, our allies, the region and the international community. The potential for North Korean proliferation of nuclear weapons, technology and fissile material is a major concern and a threat that must be addressed.

President Bush stated clearly in Singapore on 16 November, the U.S. will hold Pyongyang accountable for any transfer of nuclear weapons, related technology, or fissile material to State or non-State actors.

Question: In your view, what should be done to strengthen deterrence on the Korean peninsula?

The true lynchpin to our deterrence is the strength and viability of our alliances. We must continue to evolve our relationships with both the ROK and Japan to ensure their long term political sustainability and to ensure that the DPRK never doubts our resolve to meet our treaty commitments.

The extended deterrence offered by U.S. nuclear forces to our Allies must remain a viable component of our strategy both to deter aggression in Northeast Asia and to prevent the further spread of nuclear weapons globally.

Question: What is your understanding of the current U. S. security relationship with the ROK?

In my view, the U.S.-ROK alliance remains strong and viable. Both the U.S. and Republic of Korea are looking to evolve a more equal military partnership.

Question: If confirmed, what measures, if any, would you take to improve the U.S.-ROK security relationship?

As I understand it, the Department of Defense has been working closely with the ROK to realign U.S. forces on the Peninsula.

The Department is, for example, repositioning U.S. forces to bases south of Seoul. This will make the U.S. presence less intrusive on the Korean people, remove U.S. forces from the center of Seoul, and result in a U.S. force posture that enhances U.S. forces’ readiness and quality of life.

Question: What is your view regarding the timing of turning over wartime operational command to the ROK?

I understand that the U.S. and ROK have agreed on a timeframe for the transfer of wartime operational control. If confirmed I will continue to work with my ROK counterpart to complete this process.

Nothing out of the ordinary, just the plain sort of answer expected in such hearings.

Also see Joshua’s commentary on Gates.