Diplomatic officials from South Korea, the United States, and Japan discussed in Washington a joint response to cybersecurity threats directly linked to funding North Korea’s nuclear weapons development program, according to DPA. The South Korean Foreign Ministry in Seoul stated that the three parties exchanged assessments of Pyongyang’s malicious cyber activities and information technology employees working abroad, during the second session of the trilateral working group meeting, according to the South Korean radio network KBS World today (Saturday).
The ministry mentioned that participants shared concerns about North Korean IT workers operating under false identities at global IT companies, generating funds for the communist regime’s nuclear and missile programs, engaging in hacking activities, among other malicious activities.
The three parties also agreed on Friday to enhance cooperation with private companies to block North Korean cyber activities, diplomatically engage with countries where North Korean IT workers are employed, and improve global cybersecurity capabilities.
North Korea’s nuclear weapons program has developed over decades, beginning as early as the 1950s. The program became more apparent in the 1980s, focusing on nuclear energy uses and weapon development. Despite initially joining the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, North Korea withdrew in 2003, after which it has conducted multiple nuclear tests, significantly advancing its capabilities. The country now has an estimated arsenal of 30 to 40 nuclear weapons, with ongoing efforts to enhance its nuclear and missile technology despite international sanctions and diplomatic efforts to curb its development
