N. Korea slams FBI allegations over Binance hack as ‘grave’ provocation

North Korea reacted sharply to the FBI's allegations that Pyongyang was responsible for the theft of US$6 billion from cryptocurrency platform Binance. Kim Yo Jong, the powerful sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, called the FBI's claim "absurd rhetoric" and a "grave political provocation" against the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK). She accused the United States of misleading international public opinion and falsely accusing North Korea of cybercrimes worldwide.

The FBI had previously stated that a North Korea-affiliated hacking group called TraderTraitor was behind the Binance hack. Kim Yo Jong noted that TraderTraitor was also blamed for a US$1.5 billion theft from the Bybit platform in February last year, which was the largest crypto theft until the Binance hack. The North Korean leader's statement emphasized that the allegations were part of a "sinister attempt" to damage North Korea's international image and undermine its dignity and national prestige. She reaffirmed the DPRK's consistent policy of opposing all malicious acts in cyberspace.

However, US President Donald Trump questioned the validity of North Korea's involvement in the Binance hack, stating that the US was still learning about the incident and did not know if North Korea was responsible. Trump has previously engaged in talks with North Korea but has faced no response from Pyongyang. Kim Yo Jong's statement highlighted the ongoing hostile attitude of Washington towards the DPRK, and expressed a desire to reconsider various aspects of the US-North Korea relationship.