June 22 (Bloomberg) -- The U.S. military is “fully prepared” should North Korea launch a missile toward Hawaii, President Barack Obama said in an interview to be broadcast by CBS News today.

“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,” Obama said in an interview to be aired on the “Early Show,” according to a transcript on the CBS News Web site.

Defense Secretary Robert Gates said on June 18 he ordered the military to take measures against a possible missile launch by North Korea in the direction of Hawaii. A long-range missile launch would be a breach of a United Nations resolution passed after North Korea tested a nuclear weapon on May 25.

“I think the international community has spoken,” Obama said in the interview. There is “a unity in the international community that we haven’t seen in quite some time.”

Tensions have risen in North Asia since the atomic test and the government in Pyongyang has threatened war against any country that intercepts ships suspected of carrying nuclear weapons or missile parts to or from North Korea. The UN Security Council resolution authorizes searches of North Korean vessels.

A North Korean ship the U.S. is tracking on suspicion of carrying illicit weapons may be headed to Myanmar, South Korea’s YTN news channel reported yesterday, citing a South Korean intelligence official it didn’t identify.

The U.S. Navy is monitoring the Kang Nam I because it may be carrying weapons technology although there is no confirmation of its cargo, two U.S. government officials who asked not to be identified said on June 19.

The 2,000-ton ship, suspected of carrying missiles or missile parts, left a North Korean port on June 17 and may go to Myanmar after passing near Singapore, YTN said.

To contact the reporter on this story: Aaron Sheldrick in Tokyo at asheldrick@bloomberg.net.

Last Updated: June 21, 2009 22:10 EDT