U.S. federal investigators said that they found evidence that the North Korea government is responsible for the Sony Pictures hack that occurred in November. North Korea strongly denied the allegations and, instead, called for a joint investigation to resolve the matter.
The North Korean foreign ministry claimed that it can prove that the allegations thrown around by the United States are false. It also threatened that there would be "grave consequences" if the U.S. investigators decline the request for joint investigation, according to BBC News.
Despite the warning, the U.S. government rejected the offer. The U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) said that it was able to get copies of the emails sent by the hackers to the movie theater owners, which led to the cancellation of its release.
"If the North Korean government wants to help, they can admit their culpability and compensate Sony for the damages this attack caused," said Mark Stroh, a U.S. National Security spokesman.
"The Interview" is set for release on Dec. 25, but Sony executives cancelled it because most theaters refused to screen it after receiving threats of terrorism.
"Without theaters, we could not release it in the theaters on Christmas Day. We had no choice," Sony said in a statement. "It is still our hope that anyone who wants to see this movie will get the opportunity to do so."
"The Interview" is an American political comedy showing a negative portrayal of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un. Experts and investigators believe that it was the reason why the hackers attacked Sony Pictures.
The cancellation of "The Interview" has gone beyond politics, as even the Republicans are now urging Sony Pictures to release it on Christmas Day.
"I want to speak clearly on behalf of the Republican Party: I urge you to show the movie," RNC chairman Reince Priebus wrote to the CEOs of the movie theaters. The letter was first obtained by CNN.
"As a sign of my commitment, if you agree to show this movie, I will send a note to the Republican Party's millions of donors and supporters urging them to buy a ticket -- not to support one movie or Hollywood, but to show North Korea we cannot be bullied into giving up our freedom."
