- North Korea rejected US cybercrime accusations, calling them politically motivated.
- Reports link Pyongyang to over $6 billion in cryptocurrency theft since 2017.
- Recent attacks include over $290M KelpDAO exploit and a $289.7M Drift Protocol theft.
North Korea rejected accusations from the United States that it is behind the global cybercrime and cryptocurrency theft. The country called the claims “absurd slander” and said they are designed to damage its image.
A statement from the Foreign Ministry, as per reports, said Washington is pushing a “non-existent cyber threat” narrative. The ministry accused the US of coordinating with media and institutions to build a false perception of North Korea’s role in global hacking activity.
Pyongyang said cyber issues are being used as a political tool to interfere in its sovereignty and internal affairs. It warned that it will take necessary steps to defend its national interests.
US Allegations and Enforcement Actions
US officials have repeatedly linked North Korea to large-scale cyber operations. These include hacking campaigns, cryptocurrency theft, and overseas IT worker networks used to generate revenue under sanctions.
In April, the US Justice Department sentenced two Americans for helping North Koreans secure remote IT jobs across more than 100 companies, including Fortune 500 firms and a defense contractor. Authorities said the scheme placed North Korean workers inside corporate systems and generated millions in illicit revenue.
Sanctions have also targeted individuals and entities tied to these operations. US agencies claim these networks continue to operate and remain a threat to global businesses and infrastructure.
According to TRM Labs, North Korea-linked cyberattacks have stolen over $6 billion in cryptocurrency since 2017. The funds are believed to support nuclear and missile development programs.
Recent Hacks Trigger Fresh Tensions
Tensions escalated after reports linked North Korean groups to recent crypto exploits. The April attack on DeFi platform KelpDAO, involving over $290 million, is being probed as the year’s biggest crypto theft.
The attack reportedly used a sophisticated infrastructure exploit to drain funds. Early suspicions point to the Lazarus Group and its subgroup TraderTraitor, both widely associated with North Korean cyber activity.
Separate reports also linked North Korean actors to a $289.7 million theft from Drift Protocol earlier in the same period. These incidents add to a long record of high-value cyberattacks tied to the country.
North Korea denied any involvement and said the accusations are politically motivated fabrications.
Cyber Program and Global Response
Washington claims North Korea has built a cyber-warfare program that acts as a key source of foreign currency. The program dates back to at least the mid-1990s and has been described by cybersecurity firms as one of the most active in the world.
US authorities and analysts say hacking groups linked to Pyongyang continue to target software systems, financial platforms, and global companies. Google analysts recently flagged suspected North Korean involvement in attacks on widely used software packages.
Despite this, North Korea maintains that the US is distorting facts to justify its hostile policy. The Foreign Ministry said it will not tolerate what it called escalating confrontation in cyberspace and will take “all necessary measures” in response.
Related: North Korea Builds Massive Bitcoin Reserves as Hacker Swaps $175M ETH into BTC
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