U.S. President Barack Obama has said his country is "fully prepared for any contingencies" with North Korea, including a potential missile launch toward U.S. territory, AFP reported.
"This administration ― and our military ― is fully prepared for any contingencies," Obama was quoted as telling CBS in an interview to be aired, when asked about the possibility that North Korea could fire a missile toward Hawaii in the coming weeks.
Asked if that meant Washington was "warning of a military response," Obama answered: "No. It's just we are prepared for any contingencies.
"I don't want to speculate on hypotheticals. But I do want to give assurances to the American people that the T's are crossed and the I's are dotted in terms of what might happen," he added, according to excerpts released Sunday.
The US military has beefed up its Hawaii defenses over fears Pyongyang may launch a missile at the Pacific island chain, and is tracking a North Korean ship possibly carrying banned cargo, Defense Secretary Robert Gates was quoted as saying Thursday.
South Korea's YTN television news channel, citing an unnamed intelligence source, said the United States suspects that the 2,000-tonne Kang Nam 1 is carrying missiles or related parts, and is heading for Myanmar via Singapore.