The United States, Japan, and South Korea have joined forces to combat North Korea’s cyber activities by establishing a high-level consultative body. This new group aims to prevent cyber-attacks and crypto heists that North Korea uses to finance its weapons development, including its nuclear program. The Office of National Security in South Korea has highlighted the importance of this collaboration in strengthening the ability of the three countries to respond to global cyber threats effectively.
Officials from the US, Japan, and South Korea will convene quarterly meetings under this framework to enhance cooperation in addressing cyber threats. Anne Neuberger, Deputy Assistant to the President and Deputy National Security Advisor for Cyber and Emerging Technologies at the US National Security Council, played a key role in the creation of this consultative body during discussions with counterparts from South Korea and Japan in Washington DC.
During a digital press briefing, Neuberger emphasized the significance of combating North Korean hacking activities, particularly in the realm of cryptocurrency infrastructure. She noted that these cyber-attacks serve as a major source of revenue for the regime, funding its missile program and increasing the frequency of missile launches. The United States has made addressing North Korean hacking a top priority and has imposed sanctions on crypto exchanges used by North Korean groups to launder stolen funds.
In a statement made by a senior official from the Biden administration in June 2023, it was revealed that cyber-attacks account for 50% of Pyongyang’s foreign currency earnings. This underscores the regime’s efforts to evade international sanctions and finance its military ambitions through illicit means. The establishment of this consultative body follows an agreement reached by the three nations to create a trilateral working group dedicated to countering North Korea’s cyber threats during a meeting at Camp David in August 2023.
This collaborative effort signifies a coordinated approach by the US, Japan, and South Korea to address the evolving cybersecurity challenges posed by North Korea. By leveraging their collective expertise and resources, these countries aim to enhance their capabilities in thwarting cyber threats and safeguarding against illicit activities that threaten regional security.