Following a recent statement by North Korea on the use of its nuclear weapons, the United States remains committed to dialogue, a US government spokesperson said.
"We continue to seek diplomacy and are ready to meet without preconditions," spokeswoman Karine Jean-Pierre told reporters, adding that North Korea had not responded. She also said the US had also made it clear that it has no hostile intentions towards Pyongyang.
North Korea's autocratic regime has hardened its stance in the battle over the Asian country's nuclear weapons programme.
The Supreme People's Assembly - the virtually powerless North Korean parliament - has passed a law that would not only allow nuclear weapons as a deterrent but would also require them to be deployed automatically in the event of an imminent attack on the country's leadership. With the new law, North Korea has irrevocably acquired nuclear power status, state media reported.
"We continue to seek diplomacy, and are prepared to meet without preconditions," spokeswoman Karine Jean-Pierre told reporters, noting that North Korea has continued to rebuff the ongoing overtures.
The United States remains focused on continuing to coordinate closely with its allies and partners to address the threats posed by North Korea "and to advance our shared objective of the complete denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula," Ms. Jean Pierre said. "That has not changed."
