National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan stated that the United States, South Korea, and Japan agreed on new initiatives on Saturday to respond to North Korea's cyber threats, including cryptocurrency abuse and space launches. The national security advisors of the three countries met in Seoul at a time when Pyongyang warned it would deploy more reconnaissance satellites. Sullivan noted that the meeting built on commitments made at a trilateral summit in Camp David hosted by U.S. President Joe Biden in August, where the leaders of the U.S. and its two main allies in Asia pledged to enhance security and economic cooperation.
Sullivan told reporters, using North Korea's official name, "We have also launched new trilateral initiatives to counter the threats posed by the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, ranging from its cyber crimes and money laundering using cryptocurrencies to its reckless space and missile tests." His Japanese counterpart, Takio Akiba, stated that North Korea's "illicit cyber activities" have emerged as the latest challenges, describing them as a "source of funding" for the state's nuclear missile development.
Sullivan indicated that coordinated efforts among the three countries would target potential threats of economic coercion after completing work on an early warning system for supply chains agreed upon in Camp David regarding critical minerals and rechargeable batteries. Biden had met in Camp David with South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida to demonstrate unity in facing China's growing power and nuclear threats from North Korea.
Meanwhile, North Korean state media reported on Saturday that Pyongyang is determined to launch more reconnaissance satellites in the near future, describing space development as part of its right to self-defense like any other country. It criticized South Korea for launching its own satellite, alleging double standards. Sullivan denied this accusation, stating that North Korea's satellite launch involves ballistic missile technology that violates UN resolutions, while South Korea does not.
Sanctions monitors have accused North Korea of using cyberattacks to fund its nuclear and missile programs, with a UN report indicating that Pyongyang intensified cryptocurrency theft last year and employed advanced techniques to steal more in 2022 than in any other year. North Korea has denied accusations of hacking and other cyberattacks.
