North Korea sanctioned by the US over Sony cyber-attack

US President Barack Obama issues an Executive Order, authorizing additional sanctions on the Democratic People’s Party of North Korea. This step has been taken after the website of Sony Pictures Entertainment was hacked and the United States had accused North Korea for the cyber-attack.

[Image Source: Reuters]

Though North Korea denies the accusation, the United States remains extremely confident about its claim. In its first official response against the recent cyber-attack on Sony Pictures Entertainment’s Website, the USA has explicitly stated that it is taking this issue very seriously.

A statement issued by the White House says that the E.O (Executive Order) authorizes the Secretary of the Treasury to impose sanctions on individuals and entities associated with the Government of North Korea.

This EO is a response, the statement says, to the Government of North Korea’s ongoing provocative, destabilizing, and repressive actions and policies, particularly its destructive and coercive cyber attack on Sony Pictures Entertainment.

The statement further says that they (the U.S) take seriously North Korea’s attack that aimed to create destructive financial effects on a U.S. company and to threaten artists and other individuals with the goal of restricting their right to free expression. According to the statement, the response to North Korea’s attack against Sony Pictures Entertainment will be proportional, and will take place at a time and in a manner of their choosing.

Howbeit many experts believe that North Korea is not behind the cyber-attack, the US continues to vouch it has all the evidence against North Korea.

President Obama wrote the following in a letter to the House Speaker: “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.”

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About Suyash Karangutkar

Suyash Karangutkar is a young, dedicated and an enthusiastic journalist who has a deep interest in National and International Affairs. He is an ardent political spectator who finds politics fascinating. At Spectralhues, he heads the Mumbai team and covers National Affairs & Politics. He also occasionally writes columns for Spectralhues. He can be followed on Twitter @columnistsuyash