North Korea has strongly criticized the United States for imposing sanctions against its officials over the cyber attack on Sony Pictures.
 
A spokesman of the North’s Foreign Ministry said in an interview with the North’s official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) on Sunday that the sanctions are aimed at saving the U.S.’ face as doubts about the North’s involvement in the attack have emerged.
 
The official added that the sanctions show the United States’ “inveterate repugnancy and hostility” toward the North. The official said the policy persistently pursed by the U.S. to stifle the North would only harden its will and resolution to defend its sovereignty.
 
The remarks are Pyongyang’s first official response since the new U.S. sanctions on the North.
 
The Chosun Sinbo, a pro-North Korean newspaper based in Japan, also reported on Sunday that the United States’ sanctions could put a damper on the conciliatory mood between the two Koreas.
 
U.S. President Barack Obama signed an executive order on Friday to impose sanctions against ten North Korean officials and three state organizations, which are suspected of being involved in the cyber attacks and threats on Sony Pictures.