; (B) the anticipated reaction of North Korea to such reduction; (C) the effect of such reduction on increasing incentives for the Republic of Korea to develop an independent nuclear deterrent; (D) the effect of such reduction on the long-term military and economic partnership between the United States and the Republic of Korea and the United States and Japan, respectively; and (E) the effect of such reduction on the military balance between the United States and the People’s Republic of China and between the United States and the Russian Federation; (2) the Secretary of Defense, in consultation with the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, first certifies to the appropriate congressional committees that— (A) such a reduction is in the national security interest of the United States and will not significantly undermine the security of United States allies in the region; (B) the Secretary has appropriately consulted with allies of the United States, including the Republic of Korea and Japan, regarding such a reduction; and (C) the Republic of Korea would be fully capable of defending itself and deterring a conflict on the Korean Peninsula following such a reduction; and (3) such a reduction supports and is consistent with the most current national defense strategy under section 113 of title 10, United States Code. (c) Appropriate congressional committees defined In this section, the term relevant congressional committees means— (1) the Committee on Foreign Affairs and the Committee on Armed Services of the House of Representatives; and (2) the Committee on Foreign Relations and the Committee on Armed Services of the Senate.