People watch a TV screen showing a news program reporting about North Korea's missiles with file image, in Seoul, Sept. 15. AP-Yonhap

The United States condemns North Korea's ballistic missiles but continues to stand ready to engage with the North in dialogue, a State Department spokesman said Wednesday.

North Korea launched two short-range ballistic missiles into the East Sea on Wednesday (Seoul time).

Ned Price noted the missile launches violated a "multiple U.N. Security Council resolutions."

"We do condemn the DPRK's missile launches. These missile launches are in violation of multiple U.N. Security Council resolutions. We know that they pose a threat to DPRK's neighbors and other members of the international community," the spokesman told a press briefing.

DPRK stands for the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, the North's official name.

A Pentagon spokesman highlighted the "destabilizing impact" of North Korea's missile launches.

"The launches are in violation of multiple U.N. Security Council resolutions, and these activities highlight the destabilizing impact of the DPRK's illicit weapons program," Department of Defense spokesman John Kirby said in a press briefing.

He also reiterated the U.S.' defense commitment to its allies in the region, while pointing to U.S. missile defense system capabilities there that he said stand ready and capable.

"It's about making sure that our missile defense system, wherever it's deployed, is effective and capable, and we routinely test and experiment and try to improve that system on a daily basis," he said.

"Our commitment to the defense of the Republic of Korea and Japan remains ironclad," added Kirby, referring to South Korea by its official name.