North Korean cyberterrorism gains renewed scrutiny after record Binance heist

The threat posed by North Korea online is again in focus, following a record cryptocurrency heist potentially linked to Pyongyang. The US Federal Bureau of Investigation said Saturday that North Korea was responsible for the theft of more than $6 billion in virtual assets from Binance, the world's largest cryptocurrency exchange, on or around Oct. 29. The theft is believed to be the largest single cryptocurrency heist on record. The FBI attributed the operation to TraderTraitor, its name for a N

Nov. 1, 2026

Seoul's foreign minister explains DMZ mine blast at G20

Foreign Minister Cho Hyun underscored the importance of communication with North Korea at a Group of 20 meeting in the United States, explaining Seoul's position on a recent land mine explosion in the Demilitarized Zone that injured three South Korean troops, according to the Foreign Ministry on Sunday. Cho made the remarks during the first session of the G20 Foreign Ministers' Meeting held in Atlanta on Friday and Saturday, which focused on geopolitical tensions and their impact on the global e

Nov. 1, 2026

N. Korea tests cluster bomb mountable on tactical ballistic missiles

North Korea has tested a cluster bomb that can be mounted on tactical ballistic missiles and vowed to field various types of cluster warheads by the end of the year, its state media said Sunday. The North's Missile Administration conducted the test on Saturday to assess the combat adaptability and power of a cluster-bomb warhead to be mounted on tactical ballistic missiles, the Korean Central News Agency said. The research institutes under the Missile Administration "confirmed that Standard Type

Nov. 1, 2026

FBI says N. Korea responsible for over $6b crypto theft from Binance

The US Federal Bureau of Investigation said Saturday that North Korea was responsible for the theft of more than $6 billion in cryptocurrency from Binance, the world's largest cryptocurrency exchange, earlier this week. "The FBI is releasing information advising the Democratic People's Republic of Korea was responsible for the theft of more than $6 billion in virtual assets from cryptocurrency exchange Binance, on or about October 29, 2026," the agency said in a cyber alert, referring to North K

Nov. 1, 2026

N. Korean hackers blamed for record $6.3b Binance cryptocurrency theft: US firm

North Korean hackers purportedly stole an estimated $6.36 billion in cryptocurrency from Binance, the world's largest cryptocurrency exchange, in what would be the biggest cryptocurrency theft on record, according to a US blockchain intelligence firm. TRM Labs said Thursday's attack against Binance was most likely carried out by TraderTraitor, a North Korean hacking group, which stole digital assets from Binance across 10 blockchain networks. Most of the funds were taken in about 20 minutes, it

Oct. 31, 2026

N. Korea slams S. Korea, US' Freedom Flag air drills, vows to deter with force

North Korea on Friday denounced the ongoing combined air drills between South Korea and the United States, vowing to "thoroughly" deter the allies' exercise with force, Pyongyang's state media reported. A spokesperson at North Korea's defense ministry issued the statement as Seoul and Washington launched the biannual Freedom Flag exercise on Monday for a two-week run. "The US and the ROK military warmongers launched the provocative large-scale joint air drill Freedom Flag against our state on Oc

Oct. 30, 2026

Swiss foreign minister arrives in Pyongyang as Bern reopens diplomatic office

Swiss Foreign Minister Ignazio Cassis arrived in Pyongyang on Thursday for talks with North Korean officials and the formal reopening of Switzerland’s diplomatic office there. North Korea’s state-run Korean Central News Agency confirmed Cassis’ arrival Friday, saying he and his delegation were greeted at Pyongyang International Airport by Foreign Ministry officials, North Korea’s ambassador to Switzerland and the head of Switzerland’s diplomatic office in the North. KCNA did not elaborate on the

Oct. 30, 2026

Kim Jong-un spotlights drones, defense AI in North Korean weapons display

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un urged the country’s scientists to accelerate development of military artificial intelligence and unmanned aircraft technology, as Pyongyang showcased drones and held demonstrations involving cruise missiles and a 600-millimeter multiple rocket launcher, the North's state media reported Friday. The exhibition, titled “Unmanned Aeronautical Technology Development-2026,” was held Thursday, according to the Korean Central News Agency. It featured strategic, operationa

Oct. 30, 2026

North Korea displays drones, missiles as Kim Jong-un urges AI weapons push

North Korea has test-fired attack drones, missiles and a multiple rocket launcher at a weapons demonstration, state media reported Friday, as leader Kim Jong-un called for faster development of drone and AI technology for military use. The event came a day after Seoul said Pyongyang had fired 'around a dozen' short-range ballistic missiles off its east coast, though it was not immediately clear whether the launches were linked to the demonstration. At the event, Kim stressed the "aim to seize th

Oct. 30, 2026

Spy chief upholds Seoul's controversial repatriation of North Korean fishermen

National Intelligence Service Director Lee Jong-seok said Thursday that two North Korean fishermen accused of killing 16 fellow crew members should have been returned to North Korea, offering his personal assessment of the 2019 forced-repatriation case that remains politically and legally contentious. Lee made the remarks during a closed-door parliamentary audit of the National Assembly’s Intelligence Committee at the NIS headquarters in Seoul, according to Reps. Yoon Kun-young of the Democratic

Oct. 29, 2026

N. Korea builds ‘military leader' narrative around Kim Ju-ae: spy agency

South Korea’s National Intelligence Service said Thursday that North Korean leader Kim Jong-un’s daughter, Ju-ae, is further consolidating her status as his designated successor, with Pyongyang increasingly portraying her as a future military leader, including through appearances suggesting her involvement in nuclear and missile-related affairs. Thursday's assessment marks a rare official South Korean confirmation that Kim’s daughter is named Kim Ju-ae, a name North Korean state media have never

Oct. 29, 2026

N. Korea appears to test propaganda loudspeakers along border

North Korea appears to have conducted a test broadcast of its propaganda loudspeakers in areas along the inter-Korean border Thursday, a week after North Korean leader Kim Jong-un's sister issued a warning. Residents in the South Korean border city of Paju said that loudspeaker broadcasts from North Korea began at 6 a.m., adding the volume was relatively low, but the sounds were audible from the early morning. "At 6:30 a.m., I heard music for a brief moment, followed by faint sounds resembling g

Oct. 29, 2026

Cheong Wa Dae urges N. Korea to cease provocations following missile launch

The Office of National Security at the presidential office of Cheong Wa Dae held an emergency meeting Thursday and urged North Korea to cease provocations after Pyongyang fired a dozen short-range ballistic missiles toward the East Sea. The meeting was attended by officials from the defense ministry and the Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) to analyze and assess the North's latest missile launch, according to Cheong Wa Dae. The office stressed the need to take all necessary measures in response to the

Oct. 29, 2026

NK leader may have discussed potential talks with US during China visit

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un may have conveyed Pyongyang's position on potential talks with the United States during his recent visit to China, Seoul's spy agency told lawmakers Thursday. The National Intelligence Service (NIS) made the assessment during a closed-door parliamentary intelligence committee audit, according to Rep. Youn Kun-young of the ruling Democratic Party and Rep. Yoo Yeong-ha of the main opposition People Power Party. The NIS also said Kim may have had a purpose for his vi

Oct. 29, 2026

Parties clash over stalled N. Korean human rights foundation

Rival parties clashed Thursday over the decadelong delay in establishing a foundation tasked with addressing North Korean human rights abuses. During a parliamentary audit of the National Human Rights Commission of Korea, lawmakers from the main opposition People Power Party criticized the Democratic Party of Korea for failing to nominate board members to the North Korean Human Rights Foundation, and thus preventing its launch. The foundation mandated under the North Korean Human Rights Act, whi

Oct. 29, 2026