The FBI had resisted reporting that the culprit was Pyongyang for some time but announced Friday that it was indeed the “hermetically-sealed” nation, as Obama called North Korea in his press conference later that day. North Korea’s government — like any other, really — is known to have a bureau dedicated to “hacking” the networks of foreign nations and governments.
And the Sony film the company was allegedly hacked over does likely portray North Korea in a negative light. (Editor’s’ note: We can’t really be sure since we haven’t seen it yet, as much as we want to now.)
North Korea’s Central News Agency, however, demanded to see the evidence.
"America's childish investigation result and its attempt to frame us for this crime shows their hostile tendency towards us,” they reported.
In order to help, they offered to participate in a “joint” probe.
Obama and Kim: The Next Sony Buddy Cop Movie?
One has to wonder how a such an investigation would go.
Detective Barack Obama: We think it’s you but, sure, let’s go after some hackers.
Detective Kim Jong-Un: It wasn’t us. It was probably South Korea.
Obama: Why would they do it?
Kim: As an elaborate plan to frame us.
Obama: That doesn’t make any sense.
Kim: Hey, I’m supposed to be the smart one in this movie. You’re the James Franco character.
Obama: Yeah, I don’t think so.
Kim: OK, but I get to kick the perp’s door down.
Obama: Sure. As long as I get to drone someone.
Kim: OK. And we can split the torture responsibilities. I was pretty impressed by that training manual your Senate released recently. Good stuff.
Obama: Yeah. Let’s not go there right now.
Well, if the President Wants to see The Interview…
Meanwhile, after much criticism — including from President Obama — Sony has reconsidered its prior decision to not distribute “The Interview” and is looking for some way to release it, possibly online.
Friday, President Obama derided Sony’s decision to pull the film as “a mistake.”
"I wish they'd spoken to me first," Obama told reporters. "I would have told them: Do not get into the pattern in which you are intimidated."
In what appears to be a direct response to the criticism, Sony announced an about face.
“Sony Pictures Entertainment is and always has been strongly committed to the First Amendment,” they said in a statement. “Free expression should never be suppressed by threats and extortion.”
Well, when you have the approval of the president, anyway.
Sony still has to figure out how it will get the film in front of movie buffs. Possibilities include on-demand cable or through Netflix.
One has to expect, whatever they decide, “The Interview” has had enough free publicity, a wide viewing is very assured.
