President Barack Obama says the United States is fully prepared for a possible missile test by North Korea over the Pacific.
His comments were in response to reports that the North is considering launching a missile towards Hawaii.
Last month it conducted an underground nuclear test and test-fired a number of short-range missiles. The United Nations Security Council extended sanctions in response.
President Obama says the US administration and the military are fully prepared for any contingencies.
But he has denied he was warning the US would make a military response if North Korea does launch a missile.
