Cyber: North Koreas Ace Up the Sleeve?

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Earlier this month, Sony Pictures was hacked

in a major cyber-attack by a group called the
Guardians of Peace. The hackers ended up
releasing a massive amount of internal Sony
data everything from emails to employees
social security numbers. Finally, they
threatened to attack theatergoers should Sony
Pictures go forth with the planned December
25th release of The Interview, a satirical
comedy whose central plot revolves around
characters played by James Franco and Seth
Rogen attempting to assassinate North Korean
leader Kim Jong-un. The same group of
hackers threatened to actually blow up American movie theaters should Sony release the film,
prompting many to assume Pyongyang itself was behind the attacks. While it was initially unclear
if North Korea was indeed responsible, U.S. officials have now concluded that the Hermit
Kingdom was centrally involved in the sponsorship, planning, and execution of the attack. U.S.
officials have also noted similarities between the malware used against Sony and that used
against South Korean banks and telecommunications companies last year, further suggesting a
North Korean link.
Earlier this week, the hackers delivered an additional threat promising that should Sony release
the movie, an attack on the scale of 9/11 would occur: Remember the 11th of September 2001,
their threat read. We recommend you to keep yourself distant from the places at that time. This
threat prompted several of the United States largest movie theater chains to cancel plans to run
the movie.
As I write this, there is well-placed, widespread outrage across the American Internet that Sonys
decision to cancel the release of this film is an unjustifiable capitulation to cyber-terrorism. By
complying with the hackers wishes, Sony is effectively demonstrating the instrumental value of a
cyber-attack toward achieving political objectives a dangerous precedent that could encourage

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copycat attacks by other, more sophisticated entities. To be fair, Sonys decision wasnt unilateral
Sony says it was influenced by the refusal of movie theaters and other venues to show the film,
given concerns about the safety of their patrons. Here is Sonys statement:
In light of the decision by the majority of our exhibitors not to show the film The
Interview, we have decided not to move forward with the planned December 25
theatrical release. We respect and understand our partners decision and, of course,
completely share their paramount interest in the safety of employees and theatergoers.
Sony Pictures has been the victim of an unprecedented criminal assault against our
employees, our customers, and our business. Those who attacked us stole our
intellectual property, private emails, and sensitive and proprietary material, and
sought to destroy our spirit and our morale all apparently to thwart the release of
a movie they did not like. We are deeply saddened at this brazen effort to suppress
the distribution of a movie, and in the process do damage to our company, our
employees, and the American public. We stand by our filmmakers and their right to
free expression and are extremely disappointed by this outcome.
In addition to Sony canceling The Interview, New Regency canceled an upcoming thriller set in
North Korea that was to star American actor Steve Carrell. While companies are responding to
the North Korean regimes fear tactics, there is likely no real truth to North Koreas threats. After
all, Pyongyang regularly threatens full-out nuclear war and missile strikes; there is little reason
that these threats ought to be perceived as credible, if they indeed are backed by North Korea.
Kim Jong-un seems to be particularly sensitive to how he is perceived on the world stage, as
evidenced by North Koreas extensive diplomatic efforts at preventing a U.N. Security Council
discussion of its human rights record.
The United States needs to carefully weigh its response to this incident if it is substantiated
without a doubt that North Korea was behind this attack. Current reports note that the
government is considering a range of options in weighing a potential response. The U.S.
government should treat this attack as an attack on a core U.S. industry (Hollywood), and react
proportionately. This attack will likely emerge as a case study in how non-kinetic attacks
sponsored by national states can not only cause economic damage, but can also stifle a nations
core values, such as free speech and the freedom of expression. While the U.S. government
cannot coerce Sony Pictures to release The Interview, it must recognize that cyber-terrorism can
be immensely destructive.
For the North Korean regime and military leadership, the U.S. response must inspire a smirk of
satisfaction. Pyongyang has effectively demonstrated that it can cause real economic and
psychological damage in the United States with its cyber-warfare capabilities an as-yet
underutilized tool in its asymmetric warfare portfolio. Most troublesomely, the attack on Sony
Pictures demonstrated a good deal of sophistication. This means that we may see North Korea
turning to cyber attacks in the future to protest its treatment by the international community.
Where Pyongyangs threats in the past were largely brushed off as angry fist-pounding, the Sony
saga has shown that the Hermit Kingdom can effect real damage.
This incident could additionally cause a flare-up over cyber issues between the United States and
China. Although relations between Pyongyang and Beijing are not too hot at the moment, North

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Korean cyber-attacks in the past have been traced to mainland China. Additionally, it is likely that
the know-how required to carry out a sophisticated cyber-attack originated in China. One U.S.
intelligence official said that the Sony Pictures attack demonstrated sophistication that a year
ago we would have said was beyond the Norths capabilities.
North Korea has officially denied any involvement in the attacks, though U.S. officials are
practically convinced of state involvement. According to the New York Times, North Korea left
open the possibility that the attacks could have been the righteous deed of supporters and
sympathizers of the regime.
As a closing thought, though it might not be an element of hard-and-fast military strategy, juche,
or songun, youd think the North Korean military higher-ups that okayed the attack would have
heard of the Streisand Effect by now.

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