US, South Korea and Japan to step up their actions on North Korea cyber threats

The national security advisers of the United States, South Korea, and Japan have agreed on new measures to address North Korea's cyber threats, including abuses involving cryptocurrencies and space launches, according to White House National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan.

The meeting took place in Seoul, where Pyongyang had recently issued warnings of deploying more spy satellites. Sullivan said that this meeting was a follow-up to the commitments made during a trilateral summit hosted by President Biden in August. 

The leaders of the three countries pledged to enhance security and economic cooperation and have now initiated efforts to counter the various threats posed by North Korea, such as cybercrime, cryptocurrency money laundering, and reckless missile and space tests. 

Takeo Akiba, the Japanese counterpart of him, said that the recent challenges posed by North Korea's "illicit cyber activities" have become a source of funding for the country's nuclear missile development, highlighting the significance of addressing these concerns.

During their meeting at Camp David, President Biden, South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol, and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida focused on tackling potential threats of economic coercion. They successfully concluded the development of a supply-chain early warning system, specifically targeting critical minerals and rechargeable batteries, as agreed upon.

The purpose of their meeting was to demonstrate solidarity in the face of China's increasing power and the nuclear threats posed by North Korea. The nations remain committed to promoting peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait and ensuring freedom of navigation in the East and South China Seas, as said by Sullivan.