North Korea leader 'briefed' on Guam missile plan

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has been briefed on a plan to fire missiles towards the US Pacific territory of Guam, state media says.

But the report said he would watch US actions before making a decision on "the enveloping fire at Guam".

Last week, North Korea warned that a plan was being drawn up to fire four missiles into the sea off Guam, where US bombers are based.

There has been a sharp escalation in rhetoric between the US and the North.

 

What does North Korea's statement really mean?

The report on state news agency KCNA said Kim Jong-un "examined the plan for a long time" and discussed it with senior military officials.

The commander of North Korea's strategic force was now merely waiting for orders "after rounding off the preparations for the enveloping fire at Guam".

But, crucially, the report also added that the North Korean leader would watch the US, before making any decision, signalling an apparent deceleration in the provocative rhetoric.