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North Korea seeks join probe with US on Sony hack North Korea seeks join probe with US on Sony hack
(35 minutes later)
North Korea has offered to hold a joint inquiry with the United States into a cyber-attack on Sony Pictures, strongly denying US claims that it is behind it.North Korea has offered to hold a joint inquiry with the United States into a cyber-attack on Sony Pictures, strongly denying US claims that it is behind it.
The North's foreign ministry accused the US government of "spreading groundless allegations" and said a probe would refute the allegations.The North's foreign ministry accused the US government of "spreading groundless allegations" and said a probe would refute the allegations.
The attack and subsequent threats against cinemas led Sony to cancel the release of The Interview, a satire.The attack and subsequent threats against cinemas led Sony to cancel the release of The Interview, a satire.
It includes the fictional assassination of North Korea's leader, Kim Jong-un. The plot includes plans to assassinate North Korea's leader, Kim Jong-un.
The film had been due to open on Christmas Day. The Interview had been due to open on Christmas Day. But Sony said it was considering releasing it "on a different platform".
But Sony said it was considering releasing it "on a different platform". The FBI said on Friday that the Pyongyang government was responsible for the cyber-attack last month, in which script details and private emails were leaked.
The FBI said on Friday that the Pyongyang government was responsible. Dire warning
But on Saturday, the North Korean foreign ministry said: "As the United States is spreading groundless allegations and slandering us, we propose a joint investigation with it into this incident." On Saturday, the North Korean foreign ministry said: "As the United States is spreading groundless allegations and slandering us, we propose a joint investigation with it into this incident."
"Without resorting to such tortures as were used by the US CIA, we have means to prove that this incident has nothing to do with us.""Without resorting to such tortures as were used by the US CIA, we have means to prove that this incident has nothing to do with us."
The statement said there would be "grave consequences" if the Americans rejected their inquiry proposal.
Steve Evans, BBC News, Seoul
The denial by North Korea is unlikely to convince everyone. Defectors from the North said there was a unit of the military there called Bureau 121 which hacks the websites of foreign organisations.
In March last year hackers calling themselves the Dark Seoul Gang attacked the systems of South Korean banks and television stations. Experts say the methods were similar to the attack on Sony Pictures.
North Korea is an isolated country developing nuclear weapons and ruled by a despot so the increased irritation in Pyongyang on top of Sony's apparently new intention to release the controversial film, perhaps on the web, is causing heightened anxiety in the region.
On Friday US President Barack Obama criticised the cancellation, saying he wished Sony executives had spoken to him before cancelling the release.On Friday US President Barack Obama criticised the cancellation, saying he wished Sony executives had spoken to him before cancelling the release.
"We cannot have a society in which some dictator someplace can start imposing censorship," he said, vowing to "respond" to the cyber-attack in a "manner that we choose"."We cannot have a society in which some dictator someplace can start imposing censorship," he said, vowing to "respond" to the cyber-attack in a "manner that we choose".
'Not given in'
Responding to the US president's comments, Sony Pictures chief executive and chairman Michael Lynton said the studio had not made an error in cancelling the release.Responding to the US president's comments, Sony Pictures chief executive and chairman Michael Lynton said the studio had not made an error in cancelling the release.
"We have not given in, we have persevered," he told CNN."We have not given in, we have persevered," he told CNN.
The Interview saga
A Sony statement said the decision had been based on "the majority of the nation's theatre owners choosing not to screen the film".A Sony statement said the decision had been based on "the majority of the nation's theatre owners choosing not to screen the film".
"Without theatres, we could not release it in the theatres on Christmas Day. We had no choice," the statement added."Without theatres, we could not release it in the theatres on Christmas Day. We had no choice," the statement added.
"It is still our hope that anyone who wants to see this movie will get the opportunity to do so.""It is still our hope that anyone who wants to see this movie will get the opportunity to do so."
The Interview saga
Script details, salary data and private email correspondence were leaked in the wake of November's huge cyber-attack.
Hackers then issued a warning referring to the 11 September 2001 terror attacks, saying "the world will be full of fear" if The Interview was screened.
The movie features James Franco and Seth Rogen as two journalists who are granted an audience with Mr Kim.The movie 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 CIA then enlists the pair to assassinate him.
The film's cancelled release drew criticism in Hollywood, with some calling it an attack on the freedom of expression.The film's cancelled release drew criticism in Hollywood, with some calling it an attack on the freedom of expression.
Actor George Clooney told the trade website Deadline on Thursday the film should be released online, saying Hollywood should not be threatened by North Korea.Actor George Clooney told the trade website Deadline on Thursday the film should be released online, saying Hollywood should not be threatened by North Korea.