Obama Speaks Out On North Korea

As analysts say North Korea is preparing for a long-range missile test next month, possibly launching a rocket in the direction of Hawaii, President Barack Obama said his administration and the U.S. military are fully prepared for any contingencies.

In an exclusive interview with CBS News' Harry Smith, scheduled to air on The Early Show on Monday, Mr. Obama said that the international community is united against North Korea's provocative actions.

Here is an excerpt:

Harry Smith: North Koreans have basically said that their intention is to fire a missile toward Hawaii on or about the 4th of July. Secretary Gates has said there has been a military adjustment and to watch out for something like that happening. But beyond the sanctions and beyond the isolation that has already been tried, what has to happen to get North Korea to at least act like they're part of the community of nations?

President Obama: Well, first of all, let's be clear. This administration - and our military - is fully prepared for any contingencies. And -

Harry Smith: Is that a warning of a military response?

President Obama: 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. More broadly, I think the international community has spoken.

When you've got Russia and China as well as South Korea and Japan, the United States, the entire Security Council - saying unequivocally that North Korea has violated international law, that - and, and is willing to impose tougher sanctions -

Harry Smith: They're still defiant, though.

President Obama: Well, [what] that sends a signal, though, is of a unity in the international community that we haven't seen in quite some time. And one of the things that we have been very clear about is that North Korea has a path towards rejoining the international community. And we hope they take that path. What we're not going to do is to reward belligerence and provocation in the way that's been done in the past.

Part One of the interview was aired on the CBS News braodcast Sunday Morning on June 21. To read the transcript, click here.