GUAM – Caught in the centre of a burgeoning military crisis, residents of the tiny Pacific island of Guam say the threat of a North Korean missile strike is nothing new despite the authorities distributing an advice sheet telling locals what to do in the event of a nuclear attack.

Guam Governor Eddie Calvo told reporters on Monday there was no change in the security threat level despite North Korea’s state media reporting last week the military would have a plan ready by “mid-August” to launch four rockets which would land between 30 and 40 kilometres from the island

On the pristine beaches of Guam, where tourists continue to sunbathe and swim, concerns of a North Korean attack seem like a world away, the ABC reports.

“Me and my family feel safe, and I know that Guam and the US got a big military base, and with our military people they will defend our country,” said local RayJohn Lizama.

For Lizama, who has lived in Guam his whole life, Pyongyang’s threats are nothing new.

“We’re just having a good time, not taking things too serious. So that’s how me and my family feel about North Korea.”

However, the Guam government is not so chilled out, urging its 160,000 residents to stockpile fresh water and to make sure they know where to take shelter in the event of a missile strike.

Recent North Korean missile tests have proven the rogue nation now has the ability to strike this remote and strategically important US territory.

Despite this, Keandra McDonald, a student at Guam University, said she was not worried.

“I’m not afraid as many people think we’re afraid. Life just goes on and we have trust and confidence in God and our military,” McDonald said.

“They could attack but we have so much defence, we have so much military personnel around the country. So if they could attack, I don’t think it would get very far”.

Community groups in Guam have staged a rally calling for peace amid escalating tension between the United States and North Korea.

The Marianas Variety reported more than a hundred Chamorro people and island residents attended the “People for Peace” rally in the capital Hagatna on Monday evening.

One of the rally organisers Kenneth Gofigan Kuper from the group Independent Guahan said Guam’s plight is a global issue.

“Any nuclear attack could be the catalyst for World War Three,” Kuper said.

“But the thing is though, peace can begin here. We want to show a message out to the world that peace is the only option we want.

“We do not want to be victims of nuclear bombs. We do not want to be put into a situation of existential worry for our lives.”

The president of Palau Tommy Remengesau has expressed faith in the United States’ protection of the region amid North Korea’s renewed threats to attack Guam.

According to the Marianas Variety, Remengesau said he had faith that the US would do all it can to protect everyone in the region with the same commitment they have for the mainland US.

Palau is situated about 1300 kilometres from Guam.

The president said he is praying it is just rhetoric and he hopes reasonable minds come together to find a solution to ensure peace in the region.

- PNC sources