ong-un has REJECTED Washington's proposal for talks without preconditions after seventh North Korea missile launch in just two weeks

• NSC Spokesman John Kirby said Sunday that North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has rebuffed Washington's call for talks without 'preconditions' North Korea conducted seven missile test launches in just two weeks time  He's clearly not abandoned his nuclear weapons ambitions,' Kirby told ABC
• Kim Jong-un has refused to come to the negotiation table with the U.S. despite Washington offering talks with no preconditions, according to the National Security Council.

  The offer comes as North Korea continues to up tensions, conducting seven ballistic missile launches in just two weeks.

  'We are willing to sit down with them without preconditions,' NSC Spokesperson John Kirby told ABC News' This Week host Martha Raddatz on Sunday.

• Mr. Kim Jong Un has decided not to take us up on that offer,' he added.

  North Korea fired two ballistic missiles into the sea early Sunday, South Korea's military said just hours after a nuclear-powered U.S. aircraft carrier concluded joint drills off the Korean peninsula.

  Seoul, Tokyo and Washington have ramped up combined naval exercises in recent weeks, infuriating Pyongyang which sees them as rehearsals for invasion and uses as justification for its blitz of missile launches as necessary 'countermeasures'.

• NSC Spokesman John Kirby said Sunday that North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has rebuffed Washington's call for talks without 'preconditions' as he continues to conduct missile tests

• North Korea fired two ballistic missiles into the sea early Sunday, Seoul's military said, the seventh such launch in just two weeks time

• talks, he has instead chosen to 'improve' his ballistic missile program.

  'He's clearly not abandoned his nuclear weapons ambitions,' Kirby told ABC News.

  'We're going to make sure that we have the capabilities in place to defend our national security interest if it comes to that. But there's no reason for it to come to that,' he said, adding the United States was committed to 'a diplomatic path forward'.

  Pyongyang conducted missile launch tests during Vice President Kamala Harris four-day trip through Asia last month, which included a stop in South Korea and a tour of the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ).

  During remarks at the conclusion of her visit to the DMZ on September 29, Vice President Kamala Harris touted the alliance the U.S. has with 'the Republican North Korea' – an embarrassing gaffe as Pyongyang launched missiles during her four-day trip to Asia