Obama: U.S. ready for possible N.Korea missile launch

U.S. President Barack Obama discusses fatherhood and mentoring in the East Room of the White House in Washington

WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The United States military is prepared for the possibility that North Korea may attempt to launch a missile toward Hawaii, President Barack Obama said in remarks released on Sunday.

"This administration -- and our military -- is fully prepared for any contingencies," Obama said in an interview with CBS television when asked about reported North Korean intentions to fire a missile toward Hawaii on or about July 4.

Pressed on whether his comments were a warning of a military response, Obama said no.

"It's just we are prepared for any contingencies," he said. "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."