SEOUL (AFP) - North Korea has rejected U.S. allegations linking it to a multibillion-dollar cryptocurrency theft involving Binance, accusing Washington of using cybercrime allegations to undermine its international reputation.
Kim Yo Jong, the influential sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and a senior Workers’ Party official, called the allegations a “grave political provocation,” state news agency KCNA reported on Tuesday.
She said the FBI was attempting to portray North Korea as a “cyber criminal state” by alleging that a hacking group supported by Pyongyang was involved in the theft.
“The U.S. assertion is an absurd rhetoric and nothing new,” Kim said in a statement. She accused Washington of routinely blaming North Korea for major international cyberattacks without providing credible evidence.
Kim also cited U.S. allegations linking Pyongyang to last year’s cryptocurrency theft involving exchange Bybit.
North Korea has repeatedly denied U.S. accusations of state-sponsored cyberattacks, while Washington has accused North Korean hacking groups of stealing digital assets to finance the country’s weapons programs.
Kim suggested Washington could benefit from recovering stolen cryptocurrency, referring to U.S. plans to establish a strategic cryptocurrency reserve.
She said Pyongyang was closely monitoring US provocations and that Washington’s hostile attitude could prompt it to reconsider its position on several issues.