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'Grave Political Provocation': Pyongyang Rejects US WannaCry Attack Allegations

© AP Photo / Dita AlangkaraPatients wait near a queue number dispenser affected by "WannaCry" attack at Dharmais Cancer Hospital in Jakarta, Indonesia, Monday, May 15, 2017
Patients wait near a queue number dispenser affected by WannaCry attack at Dharmais Cancer Hospital in Jakarta, Indonesia, Monday, May 15, 2017 - Sputnik International
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North Korea has pledged to respond to the White House's accusations that Pyongyang was behind a major global cyberattack that infected hundreds of thousands of Windows computers around the globe in May.

The North Korean Foreign Ministry has made it plain that it has "nothing to do" with the "WannaCry" cyberattack, slamming Washington’s allegations against Pyongyang as "absurd."

"This move is a grave political provocation by the US aimed at inducing the international society into a confrontation against the DPRK by tarnishing the image of the dignified country and demonizing it," an unnamed North Korean Foreign Ministry spokesman said.

He accused the White House of "inciting an extremely confrontational atmosphere… at this delicate moment when the situation on the Korean Peninsula is at the crossroads of nuclear war or peace."

© REUTERS / Courtesy of SymantecA screenshot shows a WannaCry ransomware demand, provided by cyber security firm Symantec, in Mountain View, California, U.S. May 15, 2017
A screenshot shows a WannaCry ransomware demand, provided by cyber security firm Symantec, in Mountain View, California, U.S. May 15, 2017 - Sputnik International
A screenshot shows a WannaCry ransomware demand, provided by cyber security firm Symantec, in Mountain View, California, U.S. May 15, 2017

The spokesman promised retaliation against the "reckless" US accusations, however, declined to elaborate on what this might entail.

In a Wall Street Journal op-ed on Monday, White House Homeland Security Adviser Tom Bossert pointed the finger at North Korea for being behind the "WannaCry" cyberattack which began on May 12, 2017 and infected more than 230,000 computers in over 150 countries within a single day.

Bossert cited a "careful investigation with partners from Canada, New Zealand, Japan, Australia and the United Kingdom" which he said concluded that "North Korea is responsible" for the May 12 cyberattack.

READ MORE: They Did It: White House Officially Accuses North Korea of #WannaCry

Financial policy analyst Daniel Sankey, however, told Sputnik that he is "a little suspicious" about Washington's accusations and that "it's very convenient that now this severe cyberattack is being laid against the doors of North Korea."

During the "WannaCry" attack, many companies and public services around the world were affected as the malware demanded $300 to $600 in bitcoins as ransom for unencrypting the contents of the computer.

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