North Korea accused of hacking Sony.
By The American Bazaar Staff
WASHINGTON, DC: Sony Pictures Entertainment has cancelled the planned release of the The Interview after an unknown group threatened large scale, 9/11-style attacks because of the film. Sony’s decision comes after most major theater chains in the United States backed out of showing the production.
The threats could possibly be perpetrated by the same individuals who hacked Sony Pictures in November. The hackers released thousands of high-level emails and a plethora of embarrassing personal data which has left Sony reeling nearly a month later.
Analysts, government officials, and the FBI have laid the blame solely at the doorstep of North Korea. The Korean government has released a multitude of furious, arguably belligerent statements regarding the film– which is a comedy about TV journalists who are tasked with assassinating North Korean head of state Kim Jong Un– but has also categorically denied any involvement. However, U.S. intelligence officials say they have traced the hackers back to internationally sanctioned nation.
The White House National Security Council said in a statement that “the U.S. government is working tirelessly to bring the perpetrators of this attack to justice” and reiterated its support for Sony. The United States respects artists’ and entertainers’ right to produce and distribute content of their choosing… we take very seriously any attempt to threaten or limit artists’ freedom of speech or of expression.”