North Korea And Kim Jong-un Might Be Kind Of Pissed About “The Interview,” Behind Sony Hack

On November 24, Sony Pictures became the victim of a massive ransomware hack that resulted in the company shutting down its computer network. Since then, Sony Pictures has been investigating the possibility that it was North Korean hackers behind the attack, according to Variety.

According to unnamed sources speaking to Variety, Sony has no evidence that the attack was carried out by an individual, or group, with ties to North Korea, but the company is looking into all possible sources. Speculation of the attackers’ origin are based on the fact that it occurred a month before Sony’s new movie, "The Interview” would be released in theaters. The movie, starring Seth Rogen and James Franco, is about two actors who have been recruited by the CIA to assassinate North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. 


Last week, Employees were greeted by computer monitors displaying a red skull with the phrase “Hacked By #GOP” which allegedly stands for Guardians of Peace. In the image, the group threatened to release internal data that it had acquired by November 24 at 11:00 PM GMT if its request had not been met. The image included a number of links to a files that users on Reddit claim contains information such as passport and visa information for cast and crew who have worked on Sony movies, documents that details the company's IT systems, Outlook inboxes, and even video files of pirated pilot TV shows. The attack led to Sony Pictures shutting down its entire computer network as it initiated an investigation.

During the summer, North Korea’s U.N. Ambassador Ja Song Nam stated in a letter that the movie should be banned and that the production and distribution of the film “should be regarded as the most undisguised sponsoring of terrorism as well as an act of war.” Further responses from North Korea from a Foreign Ministry spokesman, quoted by KCNA, as saying that there would be a “merciless counter-measure” if the movie is released.


While an analysis of the text in the message from #GOP contains a format compatible with Chinese and Korean characters, security experts said that Sony shouldn’t put too much stock into it. According to them, hackers tend to plant misinformation in order to mislead pursuers.

Originally slated to be in theaters on October 10, Sony had pushed "The Interview's" release to December 25.

Do you think North Korea is behind the attack on Sony Pictures? Or is this just another group of hackers that have focused on Sony considering that the company, as a whole, has been the target of many attacks over the years?