A recent hack of Sony Pictures by the self-proclaimed "Guardians of Peace" may have been directed by the North Korean government.
Sony, in partnership with a number of U.S. law enforcement agencies, is investigating the possibility that the regime may be behind the hacking and illegal distribution of five unreleased Sony films.
While it has not been confirmed North Korea is behind the hack, it does coincide with the release of the upcoming comedy film The Interview, which stars James Franco and Seth Rogen as TV personalities who are asked by the CIA to assassinate North Korean leader Kim Jong Un during an interview. The film is set to be released Dec. 25.
The hack began on Nov. 24, with Sony employees' computers showing a message stating sensitive information would be leaked if hackers' demands were not met.
It is not currently clear how widespread the hacks are, but five films were leaked on Reddit following the threat. These films include the upcoming remake of Annie, Mr. Turner, Still Alice, To Write Love On Her Arms, and Fury, which is currently playing in cinemas. Following the leaks on Nov. 27, a person claiming to be the boss of the group claiming responsibility for the hack emailed reporters with links to the stolen data along with a message saying "we have much more interesting data than you know."
The hackers are reportedly based in China, but the current theory is that the hackers, while based in China, were working under direction of the North Korean government.
Filmmakers behind the movie and the U.S. government were both threatened by the North Korean government after the movie was announced, saying that there would be "merciless retaliation."
"He really wants to be liked, so he is annoyed by any kind of critical remarks about him," said Andrei Lankov, a professor at Kookmin University in South Korea, about the North Korean dictator. "He sometimes takes offense at rather small issues. It's quite likely this is what cost [Kim's uncle] Jang Song Thaek his life."
Similar hacking attacks have been blamed on North Korea in the past. Last year it was reported North Korea was behind attacks on two of South Korea's TV networks, as well as the nation's financial system. Employees of two TV networks were left with blank computer screens and ATM machines were rendered unusable.
North Korea has reportedly put together a team of 3,000 hackers to help create online support for the country and attempt to destabilize its enemies.
