Kim Jong Uns Sister Condemns FBI Accusation of North Korea Stealing $6 Billion in Cryptocurrency - Thairath English

Kim Yo Jong, sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, rejected the FBI's accusation that North Korea was behind the theft of over $6 billion in cryptocurrency from Binance, condemning it as a severe political provocation. Meanwhile, North Korea tested a strategic missile equipped with a cluster bomb warhead, demonstrating enhanced military capabilities.

North Korea denied the FBI investigation results accusing Pyongyang of stealing more than $6 billion in cryptocurrency from Binance, the world's largest cryptocurrency trading platform, calling the allegations a "severe political provocation."

Kim Yo Jong, sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, said in a statement released by the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) that the FBI is attempting to portray North Korea as a "cybercriminal state" by claiming that a hacker group supported by North Korea was involved, condemning the U.S. for making the international community believe global cybercrimes are the work of North Korea.

The FBI stated on Saturday that a hacker group linked to North Korea named "TraderTraitor" was responsible; this group has been previously connected to multiple cryptocurrency thefts.

Kim Yo Jong also accused the U.S. of trying to destroy North Korea's image and dignity, as well as violating the country's cyber sovereignty, while counter-accusing the U.S. government of having declared it would seize illegally stolen cryptocurrency assets to use as strategic state reserves.

She said that considering who benefits from the recovered cryptocurrency could help identify the perpetrators of the theft, warning that North Korea is closely monitoring what it calls continuous provocations from the U.S. and may need to reconsider its stance on U.S. hostility in various areas.

South Korea's Ministry of Unification officials said this is the first time Kim Yo Jong has issued a statement regarding cyberattack accusations against North Korea, reflecting that North Korea takes this matter seriously due to increasing international impact and attention. Typically, North Korea responds to such allegations through statements from its Foreign Ministry.

Analysts view the denial as an effort to preserve North Korea's image as a normal state and prevent cyber activities from becoming an international issue, as well as to pressure the U.S. to end policies that North Korea sees as hostile.

Michael Bosack, director of the Parley Policy Institute and former United Nations Command official, said this theft might be the largest in cryptocurrency history, valued at nearly a quarter of North Korea's estimated annual gross domestic product. He noted that North Korea might need to deny the accusations to maintain money laundering channels and use the cryptocurrency; if the international community shuts those channels, the stolen funds could no longer support North Korea's government objectives.

The incident has also led South Korea to call for enhanced measures to protect digital infrastructure from cyberattacks. President Yoon Jae-myung said even the world's largest cryptocurrency trading platform suffered massive losses from the attack, warning that hacking techniques are increasingly sophisticated and widespread due to advances in artificial intelligence, limiting security systems that rely on post-incident detection and response. He stressed the need to build comprehensive preventive systems.

A 2024 United Nations report stated that North Korea's revenue from cyberattacks plays a significant role in funding the country's development of weapons of mass destruction.

Meanwhile, KCNA reported that North Korea tested a strategic cruise missile equipped with a new cluster bomb warhead capable of dispersing blasts over 5-6 hectares, or about 50,000-60,000 square meters. The test enhanced the missile's capability to attack targets vertically by improving maneuverability during the terminal phase. North Korean officials said the test was conducted to protect national security and deter all forms of threats.

Lim Ul-chol, a professor at the Far East Studies Institute at Kyungnam University, told AFP that North Korea is demonstrating its capability to destroy key military infrastructure of South Korea and the U.S. with a single cruise missile, including airport runways, radar bases, air defense systems, and assembled troops. He stated that the test also creates a "two-layer deterrence" against South Korea by enhancing asymmetric conventional strike capabilities before potential nuclear weapon use.

North Korea, which possesses nuclear weapons, has recently tested various arms including attack drones, new precision-guided torpedo systems, and medium-range hypersonic missiles.

The strategic cruise missile tests are not prohibited under United Nations Security Council sanctions, unlike ballistic missile tests. South Korea's military said it is closely coordinating with the U.S. to analyze details and characteristics of the tests and does not disclose all North Korean weapons launches due to operational security and intelligence protection reasons.