Increased US Sanctions Against North Korea in Response to Cyber Attack

The White House announced that the Obama administration has intensified sanctions against North Korea, a move in response to Pyongyang's cyber attack on Sony Pictures. Reuters reported on Friday, January 1, that the new US sanctions include three North Korean entities, including the country's military intelligence agency, and 10 North Korean government officials, some of whom are working in Iran, Syria, China, Russia, and Namibia. According to a senior US official, the sanctioned entities and individuals did not directly participate in the cyber attack on Sony Pictures. However, the White House states that the General Bureau of Reconnaissance, the North Korean military security agency, is linked to this cyber attack. The North Korean Exploration and Mining Industry Company and the Tangun Trading Company are also on the sanctions list, both of which are reportedly connected to the country's weapons program and had previously been sanctioned. Furthermore, the 10 North Korean officials listed in the US sanctions all work with these two companies, including two representatives of the North Korean Exploration and Mining Industry Company in Iran. Pyongyang is accused of attempting to prevent the release of a film called 'The Interview' through the cyber attack on Sony Pictures. 'The Interview' is a comedy about two journalists who plot to assassinate Kim Jong-un, the leader of North Korea, with the help of the CIA. Barack Obama, the President of the United States, emphasized that Washington will respond appropriately to North Korea's cyber attack. He also noted that the plan to return North Korea to the list of state sponsors of terrorism is under consideration. However, Pyongyang has denied the accusation of the cyber attack on Sony Pictures.