(23) The United States-Japan and United States-Republic of Korea security alliances have evolved considerably over many decades and will continue to transform as genuine partnerships, sharing greater responsibilities and dedicated to ensuring a secure and prosperous region and world. (24) Robust military posture, including regular training and exercises, by the United States, the Republic of Korea, and Japan, is critical to ensuring peace and stability in Northeast Asia. (25) Kim Jong-un, who is operating as a ruthless and cruel despot in pursuit of his own ambitions, has demonstrated an overwhelming interest in regime survival, such that the preponderance of experts believe with confidence that he can be deterred from initiating a nuclear attack on the United States or its allies that would lead to the certain destruction of his regime. (26) In the absence of an imminent threat to the United States or its allies, 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 Constitution. (27) An effective policy of deterrence requires— (A) clear, consistent, and credible messaging of costs to an adversary such that they recognize that their use of nuclear weapons would result in massive retaliation