Washington/Seoul - The US is prepared for the possible launch of a North Korean long-range rocket towards Hawaii, US President Barack Obama said in an interview with US television station CBS broadcast on Monday.

Obama said his administration and the US military were ready for every eventuality.

North Korea has raised its war rhetoric amid rising tensions over its nuclear and missile programmes.

An article in the official newspaper Rodong Sinmun described North Korea as a "proud nuclear power" and threatened military revenge if the country were attacked.

The US "should take a correct look at whom it is dealing with," the paper said. "It would be a grave mistake for the US to think it can remain unhurt if it ignites the fuse of war on the Korean peninsula."

The US has increased its precautions against a possible rocket attack on Hawaii due to the threat.

The Japanese newspaper Yomiuri Shimbun reported last week about possible North Korean preparations to launch a Taepodong-2 rocket towards Hawaii.

US Secretary of Defense Robert Gates said he had ordered the deployment of missile defences and radar to Hawaii.

Tensions on the Korean peninsula and in the wider region have risen since the launch of a North Korean long-range rocket in April and a second nuclear test on May 25.

In response to the nuclear test, the United Nations Security Council tightened sanctions against Pyongyang. (dpa)