U.S. Secretary of State-designate, Senator Hillary Clinton, says incoming President Barack Obama's administration will seek an end to North Korea’s nuclear programs.

Speaking before a Senate confirmation hearing Tuesday, Clinton said the new administration’s goal is to put a stop to North Korea’s plutonium reprocessing program and an alleged highly enriched uranium program.

The Senator from New York said she and Obama believe the current six-way framework has "merit" and also provides an opportunity for bilateral contact between North Korea and the United States.

In particular, Clinton promised a new era of "smart power" diplomacy under Obama, saying the new administration will seek to reduce global nuclear stockpiles and will work to prevent nuclear proliferation in North Korea and Iran.