Pyongyang has reacted sharply to the latest accusations from American intelligence agencies. Kim Yo Jong, the sister of the North Korean leader and Deputy Director of the Publicity and Information Department of the Workers' Party of Korea, issued an official statement accusing the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) of a "deliberately orchestrated political provocation." The message was distributed by the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) and effectively marks a new round of informational confrontation between Pyongyang and Washington.
The Reason for the Sharp Demarche: FBI Accusations Regarding Binance
According to KCNA, the statement was prompted by the stance of U.S. intelligence agencies, which stated in their reports that North Korean intelligence services were allegedly behind the massive cyberattack on Binance—one of the world's largest cryptocurrency exchanges—and the theft of digital assets. Pyongyang rejected this interpretation, calling it part of Washington's systemic practice rather than a reflection of facts.
"Weapon of Information Warfare": Three Points by Kim Yo Jong
In her speech, Kim Yo Jong reportedly revealed what she described as the "true essence" of the method that Washington regularly employs in the international arena. First, she pointed out that the image of "powerful North Korean hackers" is being used to cover up systemic flaws in the domestic financial and digital infrastructure of the U.S. Second, she stated that instead of acknowledging the technological vulnerability of Western financial systems and the inability to control transnational financial flows, the U.S. administration is blaming any financial turmoil on a "closed sovereign state." Third, the statement claims that the true purpose of the FBI's accusations is to create an artificial media foundation for introducing another package of economic restrictions against North Korea, since, according to the Pyongyang representative, traditional military threats are currently not bringing the expected political results.
Who is Kim Yo Jong and What is Her Weight in the System
Kim Yo Jong is considered one of Pyongyang's most active and sharpest "mouthpieces" on international policy issues. Since 2021, she has served as Deputy Director of the Publicity and Information Department of the WPK Central Committee, and from 2015 to 2021, she worked as the First Deputy Director of the same unit. It is through her statements that Pyongyang often formulates its harshest rhetoric toward foreign opponents.
Context: Digital Confrontation Enters a New Stage
As emphasized in the report, this statement by the North Korean leadership shows that the confrontation with the U.S. in the global digital space is escalating, and the information war between the parties is moving to a new stage. Accusations of cybercrime and counter-statements are becoming an instrument of diplomatic and sanctions pressure, making such speeches a significant indicator of the state of bilateral relations.
