DPRK: Statement by the Spokesperson on cyber activities

DPRK 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 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. Increased awareness and a strong and unified response are key to countering this threat, as recently stated also by the G7 in Evian. We stand by our partners in responding to this scheme.

The EU has acted against DPRK malicious cyber activities before, notably by using its sanctions regimes, and we will do more. 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.