NORTH Korea has rejected US allegations that it was behind the theft of US$6 billion (RM25.2 billion) from cryptocurrency exchange Binance, with leader Kim Jong Un's sister calling the accusation a “grave political provocation”.
Kim Yo Jong said the Federal Bureau of Investigation's (FBI) claim was “absurd rhetoric and nothing new”, accusing Washington of portraying cybercrimes around the world as the work of North Korea.
In a statement carried by the state-run Korean Central News Agency on Tuesday, she said the allegation was an attempt to undermine the country's international image, dignity and sovereignty.
“It is a grave political provocation against the DPRK that the US misleads the international public opinion as if all the cybercrimes in different parts of the world are our deeds,” she said, using the acronym for the Democratic People's Republic of Korea.
The FBI said on Oct 31 that a North Korean-affiliated hacking group known as TraderTraitor was responsible for the Binance cyberattack.
The same group was blamed for stealing US$1.5 billion from cryptocurrency platform Bybit in February 2025, then the largest cryptocurrency theft on record.
Kim said the allegations confirmed what she described as Washington's hostile attitude towards Pyongyang.
“It is a sinister attempt to damage the international image of the DPRK and undermine its dignity and national prestige and another grave violation of the sovereignty of the DPRK,” she said.
She added that North Korea's government consistently opposed malicious activities in cyberspace.
Binance, the world's largest cryptocurrency exchange by daily trading volume, was targeted in the attack, news of which triggered sharp falls in the prices of major cryptocurrencies on Oct 30.
US President Donald Trump cast doubt on North Korea's involvement after the FBI announcement, telling reporters in Florida: “I'm not concerned. We're learning about it. We don't know if it's North Korea.”
Trump has repeatedly expressed willingness to meet Kim Jong Un since returning to office, including saying he was open to talks in 2026, but Pyongyang has not responded to those overtures. - November 3, 2026
