Seoul: Britain considers North Korea to be a "major" cyber threat actor as Pyongyang continues to enhance its cyberattack capabilities while seeking closer military cooperation with Russia, the director on cybersecurity at London's leading defense think tank has stated. James Sullivan, cyber director of the Royal United Services Institute (RUSI), noted the potential collaboration between North Korea and Russia on cyber operations, given their strengthening military ties.
According to Yonhap News Agency, Sullivan expressed that Britain views North Korea as a serious cyber threat alongside China, Russia, and Iran, marking them as the "big four" threats. Despite Britain's primary focus on cyber threats from Russia and China, North Korea remains a prominent concern due to its history of targeting critical infrastructure for financial gains to support its military and nuclear endeavors.
North Korean hackers are notorious for engaging in cryptocurrency theft and other cyber activities to fund the country's nuclear and missile programs. Sullivan highlighted the increasing likelihood of cyber collaboration between Pyongyang and Moscow, given their shared objectives and military cooperation.
Sullivan indicated that while there is limited evidence of current cyber cooperation between Russia and North Korea, the possibility is growing due to their mutual goals. North Korea is believed to have dispatched approximately 15,000 troops to assist Russia in its conflict with Ukraine since October 2024.
In addressing potential countermeasures against North Korean cyber threats, Sullivan emphasized the importance of building "resilience," particularly through joint international law enforcement efforts. He advised Seoul to focus on strengthening its defensive cybersecurity capabilities while considering offensive measures.
Additionally, Sullivan warned of escalating "hybrid" warfare, including cyberattacks from Iran, as tensions escalate following U.S.-Israel strikes on Tehran. He suggested that, while Iran may currently concentrate on conventional warfare, it could eventually resort to cyberattacks, disinformation, and hacktivist activities to disrupt Western networks.
Sullivan's visit to Seoul was in conjunction with a RUSI-hosted event aimed at enhancing cyber cooperation between South Korea and Britain.