by Sabrina Salas Matanane

Guam - Governor Eddie Calvo says his administration is in close communication with military officials and the Pentagon on the issue of North Korea. According to a press release from Adelup, the Governor this morning spoke with Commander of Joint Region Marianas Admiral Tilghman Payne, " We assure the people of Guam and other American communities in this region that we are adequately protected from an unlikely attack from North Korea. These threats should not distract from our day-to-day lives," Calvo said.

The Governor also received the following assurances:

- The United States is fully capable of defending itself and our allies against a DPRK attack. The country is firmly committed to the defense of Asia Pacific region through the extended deterrence provided by our conventional forces and our nuclear umbrella.

- The Department of Defense cannot detail military operations, plans or intelligence, but remains steadfast in its security commitments in the region, and stands ready to defend Guam and other U.S. territories, our allies and our national interests.

As we reported last night, North Korea issued another threat against Guam and included Hawaii. North Korea ordered all of its field artillery units including strategic rocket units and long range artillery units on high alert.

In the nation's capitol, White House Press Secretary Jay Carney said North Korea's latest rhetoric is designed to raise tensions and intimidate others. Carney called the statements part of a pattern and urged Pyongyang to comply with its international obligations. He added that North Korea will achieve nothing by these threats or provocations and will only further isolate North Korea and undermine international efforts to ensure peace and stability in North-East Asia.

Meanwhile over at the State Department, Acting Deputy Spokesperson Patrick Ventrell told reporters that the United States is fully capable of defending itself and our allies against a North Korea attack. Ventrell added the U.S. is also firmly committed to the defense of the Republic of Korea and Japan.