U.S. open to dialogue with North Korea, committed to its complete denuclearization: State Department spokesperson

A photo released by the official Korean Central News Agency shows North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, left, inspecting the test launches of newly developed lightweight multipurpose missile launching systems and tactical cruise missile systems at an undisclosed location in North Korea on May 26. [EPA/KOREAN CENTRAL NEWS AGENCY]

The United States remains open to dialogue with North Korea “without preconditions” and is committed to the “complete” denuclearization of the recalcitrant country, a U.S. State Department spokesperson said on Thursday.

The spokesperson's remarks came after Pyongyang's state media reported on Thursday that North Korean leader Kim Jong-un visited a newly launched nuclear material production facility earlier this week, during which he vowed to “exponentially” strengthen the country's nuclear arsenal.

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“The United States remains open to dialogue with North Korea without preconditions,” the spokesperson said in response to Yonhap News Agency's request for comment. “The United States remains committed to the complete denuclearization of North Korea.”