DPRK describes accusations by Washington as 'groundless slander'

The Democratic People's Republic of Korea said on Saturday US accusations that it was involved in a cyberattack on Sony Pictures were "groundless slander", and it wanted a joint investigation into the incident with the United States.

An unnamed spokesman of DPRK's Foreign Ministry said there would be serious consequences if Washington refused to agree to the investigation and continued to accuse Pyongyang, according to the country's official KCNA news agency.

The US stands by its assertion that Pyongyang was to blame, a White House spokesman said on Saturday.

On Friday, US President Barack Obama blamed Pyongyang for the cyberattack, which had led to the Hollywood studio canceling the December release of The Interview, a comedy about the fictional assassination of DPRK leader Kim Jong-un.

In its first substantive response, Pyongyang said it could prove it had nothing to do with the hacking attack.

"We propose to conduct a joint investigation with the US in response to groundless slander being perpetrated by the US by mobilizing public opinion," the DPRK spokesman said.

"If the US refuses to accept our proposal for a joint investigation and continues to talk about some kind of response by dragging us into the case, it must remember there will be grave consequences."

Obama declared that Sony "made a mistake'" in shelving the satirical film.

"We will respond. We will respond proportionately and we'll respond in a place and time and manner that we choose.

"I wish they had spoken to me first." Obama said at a year-end news conference, speaking of executives at Sony Pictures Entertainment.

An unnamed spokesman of DPRK's Foreign Ministry said there would be serious consequences if Washington refused to agree to the investigation and continued to accuse Pyongyang, according to the country's official KCNA news agency.

The US stands by its assertion that Pyongyang was to blame, a White House spokesman said on Saturday.

On Friday, US President Barack Obama blamed Pyongyang for the cyberattack, which had led to the Hollywood studio canceling the December release of The Interview, a comedy about the fictional assassination of DPRK leader Kim Jong-un.

In its first substantive response, Pyongyang said it could prove it had nothing to do with the hacking attack.

"We propose to conduct a joint investigation with the US in response to groundless slander being perpetrated by the US by mobilizing public opinion," the DPRK spokesman said.

"If the US refuses to accept our proposal for a joint investigation and continues to talk about some kind of response by dragging us into the case, it must remember there will be grave consequences."

Obama declared that Sony "made a mistake'" in shelving the satirical film.

"We will respond. We will respond proportionately and we'll respond in a place and time and manner that we choose.

"I wish they had spoken to me first." Obama said at a year-end news conference, speaking of executives at Sony Pictures Entertainment.

Reuters - AP - AFP

(China Daily 12/22/2014 page11)