N. Korea threatens strikes on U.S. amid hacking claims

SEOUL, South Korea — North Korea says President Barack Obama is “recklessly” spreading rumors of a Pyongyang-orchestrated cyberattack of Sony Pictures and warns of strikes against the White House, Pentagon and “the whole U.S. mainland, that cesspool of terrorism.”

Such North Korean rhetoric during times of high tension with Washington is routine. But a long statement from the powerful National Defense Commission late Sunday also underscores Pyongyang’s sensitivity at a movie whose plot focuses on the assassination of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.

The U.S. blames North Korea for the cyberattack that escalated to threats of terror attacks against U.S. movie theaters and caused Sony to cancel “The Interview’s” release.

Obama says Washington is reviewing whether to put North Korea back on its list of state sponsors of terrorism.