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🇰🇷 South Korea /Crime & Justice

North Korea Denies Role in Crypto Hack, Calls US Accusations 'Absurd Slander'

From Hankyoreh · (5m ago) Korean Critical tone

Translated from Korean, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

TLDR

  • North Korea's Foreign Ministry vehemently denied accusations linking its hackers to a recent multi-billion dollar cryptocurrency heist.
  • Pyongyang labeled the allegations as "absurd slander" and a "fabrication" stemming from the US's "hostile policy" towards North Korea.
  • The statement warned of firm measures to protect national interests against escalating cyber threats from adversarial forces.

North Korea has strongly refuted claims that its cyber operatives were behind the recent massive cryptocurrency hack, dismissing the accusations as baseless slander orchestrated by the United States. As reported by the Hankyoreh, Pyongyang's Foreign Ministry spokesperson issued a stern response, characterizing the allegations as a politically motivated smear campaign designed to tarnish the nation's image.

It is nothing but absurd slander aimed at tarnishing our country's image through the dissemination of false information for political purposes.

— North Korean Foreign Ministry SpokespersonResponding to accusations that North Korean hackers were behind a major cryptocurrency theft.

The spokesperson asserted that the US, which allegedly controls global IT infrastructure and engages in indiscriminate cyberattacks, is hypocritically portraying itself as a victim. This counter-accusation highlights North Korea's persistent narrative of facing external hostility and its determination to defend its sovereignty in cyberspace and other domains.

The DPRK will never overlook the confrontation maneuvers by hostile forces, which are becoming more blatant in various fields including cyberspace, and will actively explore all necessary measures to protect national interests and the rights and interests of its citizens.

— North Korean Foreign Ministry SpokespersonStating North Korea's resolve to counter cyber threats and protect its national interests.

This incident underscores the ongoing tensions and mistrust between North Korea and the international community, particularly the US, regarding cyber activities. While the US and its allies point to groups like Lazarus, allegedly linked to North Korea's Reconnaissance General Bureau, as responsible for numerous high-profile hacks, Pyongyang consistently denies involvement. From a North Korean perspective, these accusations are often seen as a pretext for sanctions and pressure, fueling their resolve to bolster national security and retaliate against perceived threats.

It is completely unconvincing for the United States, which controls the global information technology infrastructure and engages in indiscriminate cyberattacks against other countries, to portray itself as a 'victim'.

— North Korean Foreign Ministry SpokespersonCriticizing the US's role and accusations in the context of cyber threats.
DistantNews Editorial

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

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