Cebu_4_2
2nd January 2015, 01:09 PM
Sony Hack: US Slaps New Sanctions On N Korea
US President Barack Obama has authorised fresh sanctions against North Korea as the "first aspect of our response" to the Sony hack.
The measures target three North Korean entities, including a government intelligence agency and a North Korean arms dealer, the Obama administration said.
The US is also imposing sanctions on 10 individuals who work for those entities or the North Korean government.
http://media.skynews.com/media/images/generated/2014/12/25/358789/default/v2/release2-1-480x360.jpg
Sony released a film mocking North Korea's leader last month
President Obama said he had ordered the sanctions because of "the provocative, destabilizing, and repressive actions and policies of the Government of North Korea, including its destructive, coercive cyber-related actions during November and December 2014".
In a letter informing congressional leaders of his executive order, he added the activities "constitute a continuing threat to the national security, foreign policy, and economy of the United States".
"The order is not targeted at the people of North Korea, but rather is aimed at the Government of North Korea and its activities that threaten the United States and others," Mr Obama added.
http://media.skynews.com/media/images/generated/2014/11/28/352905/default/v1/cartoon-1-480x360.jpg
The hermit state is led by Kim Jong Un
The US has blamed North Korea for a devastating cyber attack on Sony Pictures that leaked a trove of embarrassing emails and other internal communications, including information about salaries and employee health records.
North Korea denied involvement, but has excoriated a comedy by Sony about a plot to kill North Korea's leader.
Sony Pictures initially called off release of the film, The Interview, citing threats of terror attacks against US cinemas.
http://media.skynews.com/media/images/generated/2014/12/2/353624/default/v2/kim-jong-un-film-1-480x360.jpg
Kim Jong Un as played in The Interview by Randall Park
Mr Obama criticised Sony's decision at the time, and the picture was released last month in movie theatres and online.
The White House declined to comment last week on whether the US was behind a nearly 10-hour shutdown of North Korean websites last week.
Washington already has tough sanctions in place against North Korea over its nuclear programme.
US President Barack Obama has authorised fresh sanctions against North Korea as the "first aspect of our response" to the Sony hack.
The measures target three North Korean entities, including a government intelligence agency and a North Korean arms dealer, the Obama administration said.
The US is also imposing sanctions on 10 individuals who work for those entities or the North Korean government.
http://media.skynews.com/media/images/generated/2014/12/25/358789/default/v2/release2-1-480x360.jpg
Sony released a film mocking North Korea's leader last month
President Obama said he had ordered the sanctions because of "the provocative, destabilizing, and repressive actions and policies of the Government of North Korea, including its destructive, coercive cyber-related actions during November and December 2014".
In a letter informing congressional leaders of his executive order, he added the activities "constitute a continuing threat to the national security, foreign policy, and economy of the United States".
"The order is not targeted at the people of North Korea, but rather is aimed at the Government of North Korea and its activities that threaten the United States and others," Mr Obama added.
http://media.skynews.com/media/images/generated/2014/11/28/352905/default/v1/cartoon-1-480x360.jpg
The hermit state is led by Kim Jong Un
The US has blamed North Korea for a devastating cyber attack on Sony Pictures that leaked a trove of embarrassing emails and other internal communications, including information about salaries and employee health records.
North Korea denied involvement, but has excoriated a comedy by Sony about a plot to kill North Korea's leader.
Sony Pictures initially called off release of the film, The Interview, citing threats of terror attacks against US cinemas.
http://media.skynews.com/media/images/generated/2014/12/2/353624/default/v2/kim-jong-un-film-1-480x360.jpg
Kim Jong Un as played in The Interview by Randall Park
Mr Obama criticised Sony's decision at the time, and the picture was released last month in movie theatres and online.
The White House declined to comment last week on whether the US was behind a nearly 10-hour shutdown of North Korean websites last week.
Washington already has tough sanctions in place against North Korea over its nuclear programme.