The United States has no intention to attack or invade the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) and believes there is an opportunity to settle the DPRK nuclear issue through diplomatic means, State Department spokesman Sean McCormack said at a briefing on Friday.

U.S. President George W. Bush, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and other U.S. officials have made clear that "we have no intention to invade or attack North Korea," McCormack said.

"We believe that there is an opportunity to settle the issues that are before us via diplomatic means. I think we've shown our commitment to diplomacy, and we're continuing to show that commitment in doing everything that we can to make this next round of six-party talks productive and effective, with the starting point being the September 19th Joint Statement," McCormack said.

"In terms of the military and the Pentagon, planners plan. That's what they do. But the president has made it very, very clear that we are committed to finding a diplomatic solution to the current issues before us," McCormack added.

McCormack made the comments after the Washington Times reported Friday that the Pentagon has stepped up planning for attacks against the DPRK's nuclear program and is bolstering nuclear forces in Asia.