EU warns North Korean cyber activities threaten global security

The European Union has warned that cyber activities attributed to North Korea are causing significant financial damage to the EU, its member states and international partners, while helping fund Pyongyang's nuclear and ballistic missile programmes.

In a statement, the European External Action Service said the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) is increasingly using cyber operations that target governments and private companies, posing a growing threat to international security and stability, Caliber.Az reports.

"The DPRK's cyber activities are increasingly causing significant financial harm to the EU, its Member States and their partners, particularly private companies. These activities help the DPRK to fund its unlawful nuclear and ballistic missile programmes and pose a threat to international security and stability," the statement said.

The EU also expressed concern over what it described as North Korea's IT worker scheme, under which DPRK operatives allegedly obtain remote information technology jobs using false identities to generate revenue for the country.

"The EU shares the concerns highlighted by Japan and other partners about the IT workers scheme, under which DPRK operatives offer services as remote IT workers under fake identities to generate revenue for the DPRK," the statement said.

According to the EU, raising awareness and maintaining a coordinated international response are essential to countering the scheme, echoing concerns recently expressed by the Group of Seven (G7) during its meeting in Evian.

The bloc said it stands alongside its international partners in responding to the threat.

The EU noted that it has previously taken action against North Korean malicious cyber activities, including through sanctions, and pledged to strengthen its response.

"We will continue to work with our partners to prevent, deter and respond to this threat to ensure international security and stability and a global, open, free, stable and secure cyberspace," the statement said.

By Sabina Mammadli