Sony gets hacked, the Sydney siege, and more

The computer hacking incident against Sony has been the most devastating on record. Not because of the information gleaned, but because of its implications.

“We respect and understand our partners’ decision and, of course, completely share their paramount interest in the safety of employees and theater-goers,” Sony said in a statement as it pulled The Interview from theater release.

In the latest Asia News Weekly on Korea Times podcast, host Steve Miller discusses why the hack bodes ill for the world.

Also, Sydney, Australia was rocked this week when Man Haron Monis siezed the Lindt Chocolate Cafe. Host Steve Miller summarizes the key events of the sixteen hour standoff that unfortunately led to the loss of two inside and the gunman.

When Monis forced his hostages to hold a black flag with Arabic flag in the cafe's window, Sydney's Muslim groups released a statement condemning the standoff saying in part, “The Australian Muslim community shares with fellow Sydneysiders their utter shock and horror at the unprecedented scenes emerging from Lindt cafe in Martin Place this morning. We reject any attempt to take the innocent life of any human being.”

Miller also shares some good news about Australians stepping up in the wake of this horrific event.

Further, on Sunday, Japan went to the polls to select new members of the lower house of the Diet in a snap election called by Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. Michael Cucek, Adjunct Fellow at the Institute for Contemporary Asian Studies at Temple University Japan returns to the podcast with the results and analysis.