North Korea rejects FBI claim it stole $6.3bn from Binance

PYONGYANG: North Korea has rejected as baseless the allegations by the United States that it was involved in a record theft of digital assets worth $6.3 billion from the cryptocurrency exchange Binance.

According to North Korea’s state news agency, Kim Yo Jong, a key leader of the ruling party and sister of leader Kim Jong Un, said the allegation by the US investigative agency, the FBI, that North Korea was involved in a cyber attack was ridiculous and fabricated.

Kim Yo Jong called the US allegations a serious political provocation against North Korea. She said the United States was trying to mislead world opinion by blaming North Korea for cybercrimes committed around the world.

The FBI had last week held North Korea responsible for the theft of digital assets worth more than $6 billion from Binance. According to US officials, hacking groups backed by North Korea were involved in the incident.

In its statement, North Korea denied involvement in cybercrime. It said it opposes all illegal activity on the internet.

Meanwhile, international investigators and major cryptocurrency companies are continuing efforts to monitor digital accounts linked to the stolen funds and to freeze the money. Binance has also begun using its reserves to cover the historic loss.