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North Korea Calls US Cyber Crime Accusations 'Absurd Slander'
🇸🇬 Singapore /Crime & Justice

North Korea Calls US Cyber Crime Accusations 'Absurd Slander'

From CNA · (12m ago) English Critical tone

Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

TLDR

  • North Korea has vehemently denied accusations from the United States that it engages in cybercrimes to fund its illicit activities.
  • Pyongyang labeled the US claims as "absurd slander" aimed at damaging its image and spreading false information for political gain.
  • The US has accused North Korea of a sophisticated cyber-warfare program responsible for stealing billions in virtual assets to circumvent sanctions and fund its weapons programs.

North Korea has firmly rejected the latest accusations from the United States, branding them as baseless slander intended to tarnish the nation's reputation. The official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) released a statement from an unnamed foreign ministry spokesperson, asserting that the US is attempting to create a false narrative about a non-existent 'cyber threat.' This strong rebuttal highlights Pyongyang's consistent stance against what it perceives as politically motivated hostility from Washington.

This is nothing but an absurd slander to tarnish the image of our country by spreading false information in pursuit of political purposes

— Unnamed North Korean Foreign Ministry SpokespersonResponding to US accusations of cybercrimes.

The accusations, which claim North Korea has amassed billions through cyber theft to fund its nuclear and weapons programs amidst stringent international sanctions, are dismissed by Pyongyang as a deliberate attempt to mislead the international community. This denial is crucial for North Korea, as it seeks to counter international pressure and maintain its image on the global stage. The regime views such allegations not merely as criticisms of its cyber activities but as part of a broader campaign to isolate and delegitimize the country.

trying to spread incorrect understanding about North Korea, talking about the non-existent 'cyber threat'

— Unnamed North Korean Foreign Ministry SpokespersonDescribing the US government's alleged intentions.

From Pyongyang's perspective, the US actions are a continuation of its long-standing policy of antagonism. The report mentions US efforts to prosecute individuals for aiding North Koreans in obtaining remote IT work, which allegedly generated millions for weapons programs. North Korea likely sees this as further evidence of the US attempting to disrupt its economy and hinder its defense capabilities. The narrative presented by North Korea emphasizes its sovereignty and its right to pursue national security interests, framing US actions as interference and slander, rather than legitimate concerns about international security and illicit financial activities.

placed North Korean IT workers on the payrolls of unwitting US companies and in US computer systems, thereby potentially harming our national security

— John EisenbergAssistant Attorney General for National Security, explaining the impact of the alleged scheme.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by CNA in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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