North Korea rejected accusations from the United States that it is a cyber threat, saying the claims are fabricated and are being used to justify Washington’s long-standing hostile policy toward Pyongyang.
Reuters reported that a spokesperson for North Korea’s foreign ministry said on Sunday (May 3) that the U.S. is spreading false claims of a “non-existent cyber threat” from North Korea.
The spokesperson called the accusations an absurd slander aimed at damaging the country’s image and warned that Pyongyang would take all necessary measures to defend state interests and protect the rights of its citizens in cyberspace.
U.S. officials have repeatedly accused North Korea of state-backed cyber activities, including hacking, cryptocurrency theft, and using networks of overseas IT workers to generate revenue for its weapons programs.
The Treasury and State Department have previously said Pyongyang deploys thousands of IT workers abroad and uses cyber-enabled theft to fund missile and nuclear development, while the U.S. Justice Department and FBI have also warned that North Korean cyber groups pose a continuing threat to governments, businesses, and critical infrastructure worldwide.
