Kim Jong-il is shown at the opening session of North Korea's parliament in April 2009. He appeared considerably thinner and older than photos from 2008. (KRT/Associated Press)North Korea criticized the United States Monday for positioning missile defence systems around Hawaii, calling it a plot to attack the reclusive regime.

"Through the U.S. forces' clamorous movements, it has been brought to light that the U.S. attempt to launch a pre-emptive strike on our republic has become a brutal fact," the North's main Rodong Sinmun newspaper said in a commentary.

U.S. Defence Secretary Robert Gates has said he ordered the ground-based, mobile missile intercept system and radar system to Hawaii over concerns the North would launch a long-range missile towards the state.

Rodong Sinmun also accused the U.S. of deploying an aircraft carrier and two submarines armed with nuclear warheads to the waters near the Korean Peninsula.

The deployment proves "the U.S. pre-emptive nuclear war" on the North is imminent and that Pyongyang will bolster its nuclear arsenal in response, said the report.

U.S. officials would not confirm the ship's location, but it is based in Yokosuka, Japan.

Earlier this month, a Japanese newspaper reported North Korea could carry out a long-range missile test toward Hawaii by early July. Believed to be a long-range Taepodong-2 with a range of up to 6,500 kilometres, the missile would be launched from the Dongchang-ni site between July 4 and 8, said the Yomiuri daily. The missile wasn't expected to be able to reach Hawaii's main islands, which are about 7,200 kilometres from the Korean Peninsula.

Kim Jong-il photos likely doctored: report

Also Monday, South Korean media reported a photo of North Korean leader Kim Jong-il that appeared on June 14 was likely a doctored photo of an earlier one published in April.

The photo, which appeared on state television, shows Kim visiting an army unit, said the Chosun Ilbo newspaper.

It is almost identical to an April 25 photo of Kim, according to an assessment of South Korean intelligence agencies, said the report.

In both photos, which the newspaper published, Kim stands with a group of soldiers with the same ceiling lights above them and a banner calling for loyalty to the leader behind them. The positioning of many of people in the photos is largely the same — except for a dozen figures who do not appear in the later image.

Citing unidentified South Korean security officials, the newspaper said there was a "high possibility" the image was recycled.

The reclusive North Korean leader's health has been the focus of keen attention since he reportedly suffered a stroke last August without publicly naming a successor. He looked gaunt in an April appearance in North Korea's parliament.

Earlier this month, North Korea named Kim's 26-year-old son, Jong Un, as the country's next leader.

With files from The Associated Press