North Korea Says 'Righteous' Sony Hack May Be Work of Its Supporters

December 7, 2014 5:29 PM EST

North Korea’s state-run media outlet said Sunday the country is not responsible for the Sony Pictures hack, in its most detailed response to the breach far.

The news agency KCNA also praised the cyberattack and said it may be the work of the country’s supporters. “The hacking into Sony Pictures Entertainment might be a righteous deed of the supporters and sympathizers with [North Korean] in response to its appeal,” Reuters quoted from the KCNA article.

Previous statements regarding North Korea’s involvement came from individual diplomats, one who denied the hack, and another who did not deny the hack.

Take an Inside Look at North Korea

Aug. 26, 2011. A North Korean woman looks down at the city of Pyongyang from the top of the Tower of the Juche Idea.David Guttenfelder—AP

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APTOPIX North Korea Mount Paektu — April 4, 2012. a North Korean soldier working as a guide walks through a forest at the foot of Mount Paektu, North Korea.David Guttenfelder—AP

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APTOPIX North Korea NY Philharmonic — Feb. 26, 2008. North Koreans look through the performance program before the start of a concert by the New York Philharmonic in Pyongyang.David Guttenfelder—AP

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Sept. 16, 2008. A guide gives a lecture in front of a diorama showing the Korean War's 1950 battle of Taejon as she gives a tour of the War Museum in Pyongyang.David Guttenfelder—AP

APTOPIX North Korea Venerating Kim — Feb. 14, 2012. A North Korean stands at attention as others cheer during the unveiling of a new bronze statue depicting the late leader Kim Jong-Il and his father Kim Il-Sung at Mansudae Art Studio in Pyongyang.David Guttenfelder—AP

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North Korea Military — April 25, 2013. North Korean soldiers and civilians stand on a foot bridge to look at goldfish in a moat as they tour the grounds of Kumsusan Palace of the Sun, the mausoleum where the bodies of the late leaders Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il lie embalmed, in Pyongyang, North Korea.David Guttenfelder—AP

APTOPIX North Korea Military — April 25, 2013. North Korean soldiers and civilians pose for souvenir photos in front of a fountain as they tour the grounds of Kumsusan Palace of the Sun, the mausoleum where the bodies of the late leaders Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il lie embalmed, in Pyongyang, North Korea.David Guttenfelder—AP

The KCNA article further accused South Korea of “floating the false rumor that the North was involved in the hacking,” and warned the U.S. that “there are a great number of supporters and sympathizers with [North Korea] all over the world.”

North Korea is speculated to have conducted the hack as retribution for an upcoming Sony film, The Interview, whose leading characters, played by Seth Rogen and James Franco, are tasked with assassinating North Korean leader Kim Jong-un. The hack has exposed the personal data of several Hollywood stars as well as upcoming Sony films.