People watch news on a TV at Seoul Station in Seoul, Jan. 14, about North Korea's launch of two alleged short-range ballistic missiles into the East Sea. Yonhap

The United States condemned North Korea's latest missile launches Friday amid growing tension between the two countries following multiple missile tests by the North during the last week.

North Korea fired what appeared to be two short-range ballistic missiles Friday afternoon (KST). These short-range missile tests follow on the heels of two separate launches of what Pyongyang claimed to be a new hypersonic missile, Jan. 5 and Tuesday.

"The United States condemns the DPRK's ballistic missile launch. This launch is in violation of multiple U.N. Security Council Resolutions and poses a threat to the DPRK's neighbors and the international community," a spokesperson for the Department of State said, referring to North Korea by its official name, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea.

"We remain committed to a diplomatic approach to the DPRK and call on them to engage in dialogue. Our commitment to the defense of the Republic of Korea and Japan remains ironclad," the official added.