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‘The Interview’ to be airdropped into N. Korea

A South Korean activist says he plans to launch a series of balloons across the border into North Korea carrying copies of a film which has enraged its leadership.

Former defector Park Sang-Hak said the balloons would carry 100,000 copies on DVDs and USB memory sticks of The Interview, a comedy about a fictional plot to kill North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un.

• Dr Evil ‘schools’ North Korea over Sony hack attack

The balloons, which are used by private groups in the South to float anti-regime material across the heavily guarded border, will also carry leaflets.

“Probably the first launch will be made in late January if weather conditions allow,” Park said, adding the exact date would be decided when his partners from the US-based non-profit Human Rights Foundation visit Seoul around January 20.

He said the foundation had financed production of the DVDs and memory sticks.

Defectors say a considerable number of North Korean homes have DVD players, often second-hand models brought in from China, and residents watch discs from overseas even though they can face punishment.

The Sony Pictures film sparked an international incident.

Threats made by hackers after a November cyber attack on the movie giant initially prompted Sony to cancel the film’s Christmas Day release, after many large US theatre chains got cold feet.

The United States blamed North Korea for the cyber attack, but it vehemently denied any involvement.

US President Barack Obama expressed regret at Sony’s cancellation and the studio then decided on a limited release and also released it online.

Last week the North derided Obama as a “monkey” for encouraging cinemas to screen the comedy.

In a New Year message the North’s leader called for top-level talks with the South, and Seoul responded positively.

Topics: North Korea
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