03.11.2026 09:12
The $6.3 billion cyberattack on cryptocurrency exchange Binance caused tension between the US and North Korea. While the FBI and cybersecurity experts announced that the North Korea-linked Lazarus Group was behind the attack, Kim Jong Un's sister Kim Yo Jong sharply rejected the accusations. Kim, who accused the US of political provocation, argued that her country's international reputation was being targeted.
After the $6.3 billion cyberattack that shook cryptocurrency markets, US authorities and cybersecurity experts launched an investigation. The FBI and analysts reported that the attack was carried out by a hacking group called TraderTraitor, also known as Lazarus Group, said to be linked to North Korean intelligence.
The attack was described as the largest cryptocurrency theft in history in terms of the total value of stolen assets.
SHARP REACTION FROM KIM JONG UN'S SISTER
A response came from North Korea to the US statements. Kim Yo Jong, sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and director of the General Affairs Department of the Workers' Party of Korea, argued that the accusations were aimed at damaging her country's international reputation.
In her statement published by North Korea's state agency KCNA, Kim described the Washington administration's linking of her country to cybercrimes as a "stale provocation."
Kim Yo Jong said, "Misleading international public opinion as if all cybercrimes around the world were our work is a grave political provocation against North Korea."
"A MALICIOUS ATTEMPT"
Calling the US claims a "malicious attempt," Kim Yo Jong asserted that Washington was trying to damage North Korea's international image.
Emphasizing that the North Korean government maintains a resolute stance against all kinds of malicious acts in cyberspace, Kim categorically rejected the accusations against her country.
BINANCE EXPLAINED HOW THE ATTACK HAPPENED
Binance, which was the target of the attack, shared the results of the initial investigations conducted after the incident.
The company announced that the cyberattack occurred as a result of an engineer's laptop being breached. It was stated that the attackers gained access to the system through this method.
95 PERCENT OF STOLEN ASSETS COVERED
Binance announced that 95 percent of the assets stolen as a result of the attack had been covered. The company also reported that, following security investigations, withdrawals on the platform had gradually resumed.
The disagreement between the US and North Korea over those behind the cyberattack continues.