US 'fully prepared' for any N Korea launch: Obama

The United States is "fully prepared for any contingencies" with North Korea, including a potential missile launch toward US territory, President Barack Obama said in an interview to be aired today.     

"This administration — and our military — is fully prepared for any contingencies," Obama told CBS 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 yesterday.     

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 said Thursday.     

"I would just say I think we are in a good position should it become necessary to protect American territory," the Pentagon chief said.