North Korea responsible for Sony hack, federal investigators say

LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- The federal government has determined that North Korea is responsible for the Sony hack, according to ABC News.

A senior official said that the individual or group responsible for hacking Sony is not based in North Korea, but was directed by officials in the country to launch the attack. The official said U.S. intelligence and the FBI pulled out all the stops given the unprecedented nature of the attack that destroyed files, shut down work stations and exploited company secrets and strategy.

Until now, the Obama administration has said it was not clear who may have been responsible for the cyber attack. North Korea has publicly denied its involvement.

Sony spokeswoman Jean Guerin announced Wednesday that the company had "no further release plans for the film."

Earlier in the day, the company said that it was pulling the plug on the theatrical release of "The Interview" on Christmas Day amid recent threats made by hackers and the decision by national movie theater chains to not show the film.

"We respect and understand our partners' decision and, of course, completely share their paramount interest in the safety of employees and theater-goers," according to a statement by Sony Pictures.

"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," the statement continued.

After Sony canceled the film's planned release, many celebrities took to Twitter to voice their opinions, including Rob Lowe, who has a role in the movie, and Steve Carell.

Carell was supposed to star in a film also set in North Korea. That project, which was expected to start production in March, has been scrapped because of the fallout.

AMC, Regal and Cineplex were the latest movie theater chains to announce that they will not show the film.

"Due to the wavering support of the film 'The Interview' by Sony Pictures, as well as the ambiguous nature of any real or perceived security threats, Regal Entertainment Group has decided to delay the opening of the film in our theatres," Regal said in a statement to Eyewitness News.

"The Interview" was expected to gross approximately $30 million domestically over its opening weekend and potentially up to $120 million worldwide.

Carmike Cinemas has already decided to cancel its planned showings of the film after hackers, who call themselves Guardians of Peace, promised attacks on theaters that show the movie. The film, which stars Seth Rogen and James Franco, pokes fun at North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un.

On Nov. 24, the hackers broke into the Sony computer system and have been releasing sensitive information about everything from executive salaries to secret film scripts.

The cyber attack had focused on releasing embarrassing and damaging confidential information, but it took an ominous twist this week with the threat against theatergoers.

"We will clearly show it to you at the very time and places "The Interview" (will) be shown, including the premier, how bitter fate those who seek fun in terror should be doomed to," the group said in a note released Tuesday. "The world will be full of fear. Remember the 11th of September 2001."

President Obama said his administration will be "vigilant" and alert the public if evidence of a "serious and credible" threat arises.

"My recommendation would be that people go to the movies," Obama said.

The FBI and the Department of Homeland Security says they are aware of the threats and are investigating.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.