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North Korea berates Obama over The Interview release North Korea berates Obama over The Interview release
(about 5 hours later)
North Korea has condemned US President Barack Obama over the release of the film The Interview, about a fictional plot to kill its leader Kim Jong-un.North Korea has condemned US President Barack Obama over the release of the film The Interview, about a fictional plot to kill its leader Kim Jong-un.
The country's National Defence Commission (NDC) also accused the US of shutting down the country's internet - and used a racial slur to describe the "reckless" Mr Obama. The National Defence Commission (NDC) also accused the US of shutting down North Korea's internet - and described Mr Obama as "reckless" and "a monkey".
Sony Pictures had originally pulled the title after a cyber-attack and threats. Another internet shut-down was observed hours later, Chinese state media said.
But the company later reconsidered, releasing the comedy on Christmas Day. Sony Pictures originally pulled the film after a cyber-attack and threats - a move criticised by Mr Obama.
A number of critics - including the US president - had warned that freedom of expression was under threat if the movie was shelved. He joined critics who had warned that freedom of expression was under threat if the movie was shelved.
The controversial film was shown in some US cinemas and is available online, with several hundred independent theatres coming forward and offering to screen it. Sony later reconsidered and released The Interview on Christmas Day.
However, larger cinemas decided not to show the film. The controversial film was shown in some US cinemas and is available online, with several hundred independent cinemas coming forward and offering to screen it.
However, larger theatres decided not to show the film.
'Righteous deed''Righteous deed'
In a statement issued on Saturday, an NDC spokesman denounced the US for screening the "dishonest and reactionary movie hurting the dignity of the supreme leadership of the DPRK [North Korea] and agitating terrorism". In a statement issued on Saturday, North Korea's NDC spokesman denounced the US for screening the "dishonest and reactionary movie hurting the dignity of the supreme leadership of the DPRK [North Korea] and agitating terrorism".
President Obama, the statement said, "is the chief culprit who forced the Sony Pictures Entertainment to indiscriminately distribute the movie", blackmailing cinemas in the US.President Obama, the statement said, "is the chief culprit who forced the Sony Pictures Entertainment to indiscriminately distribute the movie", blackmailing cinemas in the US.
It added: "Obama always goes reckless in words and deeds like a monkey in a tropical forest."It added: "Obama always goes reckless in words and deeds like a monkey in a tropical forest."
The NDC also accused also Washington of "groundlessly linking the unheard of hacking at the Sony Pictures Entertainment to the DPRK".The NDC also accused also Washington of "groundlessly linking the unheard of hacking at the Sony Pictures Entertainment to the DPRK".
Analysis: Stephen Evans, BBC News, SeoulAnalysis: Stephen Evans, BBC News, Seoul
The Interview is a classic Hollywood romp involving two lads who go to a strange place and get seduced (in several senses).The Interview is a classic Hollywood romp involving two lads who go to a strange place and get seduced (in several senses).
And it is very funny. That's partly because it is also a very good political satire.And it is very funny. That's partly because it is also a very good political satire.
It is powerful because it depicts Kim Jong-un as a vain, buffoonish despot, alternating between threats and weeping that he's been misunderstood. The people around him have all the signs of fear you might expect with a despot - they second-guess his likes and dislikes.It is powerful because it depicts Kim Jong-un as a vain, buffoonish despot, alternating between threats and weeping that he's been misunderstood. The people around him have all the signs of fear you might expect with a despot - they second-guess his likes and dislikes.
Maybe he - and they - were right to fear the film. North Korean defectors sometimes smuggle USB sticks with films and soaps into the closed-off country, and there is a view in the south that these are a particularly powerful means of undermining the regime in Pyongyang. If that's so, The Interview might be a good candidate for inclusion.Maybe he - and they - were right to fear the film. North Korean defectors sometimes smuggle USB sticks with films and soaps into the closed-off country, and there is a view in the south that these are a particularly powerful means of undermining the regime in Pyongyang. If that's so, The Interview might be a good candidate for inclusion.
That fear may explain the North Korean leadership's intemperate, deeply racist language. It's not the first time, it has called President Obama a monkey.That fear may explain the North Korean leadership's intemperate, deeply racist language. It's not the first time, it has called President Obama a monkey.
Crude insult or satire. Which is more effective?Crude insult or satire. Which is more effective?
FBI accusationFBI accusation
Sony Pictures had initially pulled the film after suffering an unprecedented hacking attack at the hands of a group calling itself the Guardians of Peace.Sony Pictures had initially pulled the film after suffering an unprecedented hacking attack at the hands of a group calling itself the Guardians of Peace.
The hackers also threatened to carry out a terrorist attack on cinemas showing the film on its scheduled release date of Christmas Day.The hackers also threatened to carry out a terrorist attack on cinemas showing the film on its scheduled release date of Christmas Day.
Last week, the US Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) said its analysis pointed the finger at North Korea.Last week, the US Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) said its analysis pointed the finger at North Korea.
However, many cyber-security experts have come forward to dispute this assertion.However, many cyber-security experts have come forward to dispute this assertion.
At the time, North Korea denied being behind the attack but described it as a "righteous deed".At the time, North Korea denied being behind the attack but described it as a "righteous deed".
The country subsequently suffered a severe internet outage.The country subsequently suffered a severe internet outage.
On Saturday, China's state news agency Xinhua said: "At Pyongyang time 19:30 (10:30 GMT) North Korea's internet and mobile 3G network came to a standstill, and had not returned to normal as of 21:30."
Its reporters in North Korea had found the internet "very unstable" throughout the day.
Cyber security firm Dyn Research also said that North Korea suffered a "country-wide internet blackout" on Saturday.
The Interview sagaThe Interview saga
The Interview features James Franco and Seth Rogen as two journalists who are granted an audience with Mr Kim. The CIA then enlists the pair to assassinate him.The Interview features James Franco and Seth Rogen as two journalists who are granted an audience with Mr Kim. The CIA then enlists the pair to assassinate him.