The Philippines is ready to help the United States as it prepares to defend against threatened attacks by North Korea, a Foreign Ministry official said April 5, Reuters reported.

South Korea on April 5 deployed two Aegis destroyers to monitor North Korea, Yonhap reported.

North Korea has moved a missile with considerable range to the country's east coast, South Korean Defense Minister Kim Kwan Jin said April 4, AP reported.

The North Korean army has been cleared to attack the United States with nuclear strikes, according to an April 3 statement by the General Staff of the Korean People's Army, AFP reported.

South Korea could use military action to ensure the safety of South Koreans working in a joint industrial zone in North Korea, South Korean Defense Minister Kim Kwan Jin said April 3, Hurriyet Daily News reported.

Japan is gravely concerned over North Korea's announcement that it will restart its nuclear facility, a Japanese Cabinet official said April 2, Xinhua reported, citing Japanese media.