U.S. President Barack Obama says Washington is fully prepared for any contingencies involving North Korea, including a potential missile launch toward Hawaii.

In an interview with U.S. broadcaster CBS on Monday, Obama assured the American people that his administration and the military are fully prepared for any such moves the North might pursue.

Obama stressed that the U.S. is not going to reward belligerence and provocation in a way that's been done in the past.

Obama’s remarks come as Japanese media report Pyongyang appears to be preparing for a long-range missile test on or near the July fourth U.S. independence holiday.

Meanwhile, U.S. Secretary of Defense Robert Gates has ordered additional defense measures for Hawaii in case a missile is launched over the Pacific Ocean.