PYONGYANG, North Korea, June 25 (UPI) -- A North Korean foreign ministry spokesman told state media that the release of The Interview, which depicts the comedic assassination attempt of Kim Jong-un, would be considered an "act of war."

According to reports Wednesday form North Korea's official news agency KCNA, the spokesman said the "reckless U.S. provocative insanity" of using a "gangster filmmaker" to mock the country's leadership was causing a "gust of hatred and rage" among the people and military of North Korea.


"Making and releasing a movie on a plot to hurt our top-level leadership is the most blatant act of terrorism and war and will absolutely not be tolerated," said the spokesman. "If the U.S. administration allows and defends the showing of the film, a merciless counter-measure will be taken."

On Monday, the government reportedly condemned the movie, claiming it shows "the desperation of the U.S. government and American society."

James Franco, one of the actors and directors in the production, said the film was originally supposed to be about the assassination of Kim Jong-il. But after he died in 2011, the storyline was altered to feature his successor instead.