(LEAD) Ranking U.S. official visits S. Korea to discuss cyber security: NSC

All News 02:05 July 29, 2022

(ATTN: UPDATES with remarks from Neuberger in paras 6-7; RESTRUCTURES; ADDS photo)
By Byun Duk-kun

WASHINGTON, July 28 (Yonhap) -- A senior White House official visited South Korea this week to discuss ways to enhance the countries' cooperation in countering cybercrimes committed by actors such as North Korea, the White House National Security Council (NSC) said Thursday.

Anne Neuberger, deputy national security advisor (DNSA) for cyber and emerging technologies, traveled to Seoul from Monday through Wednesday, according to NSC spokesperson Adrienne Watson.

Anne Neuberger, deputy national security advisor for cyber and emerging technologies, is seen answering questions in a webinar hosted by the Center for a New American Security, in Washington on July 28, 2022 in this image captured from the website of the Washington-based think tank. (Yonhap)

"During her meetings with Korean counterparts, DNSA Neuberger highlighted the Biden-Harris Administration's commitment to working with our partners to secure critical infrastructure and government systems; prepare for cyber incidents; reinforce respect for international law and norms of responsible behavior; and cooperate to deter disruptive and destabilizing cyber activity," Watson said in a press release.

"She also highlighted the U.S. commitment to cooperation with the ROK to combat cybercrime and associated money laundering, secure cryptocurrency, build capacity, and share information," she added.

ROK stands for the Republic of Korea, South Korea's official name.

Speaking in a webinar hosted by the Center for a New American Security, Neuberger said her discussions in South Korea included talks on how the U.S. and South Korea can "work together to make it harder for DPRK, North Korea to gain funds to support its missile program."

"We also talked about how to better protect against various nation, state actors and highlighted some of the current areas where we can partner and improve our partnership together," she added.

The U.S. has said North Korea is becoming increasingly engaged in illicit cyber activities to secure sources of hard currency that will help finance its illegal weapons programs.

Washington currently has dozens of North Korean individuals and entities that it says are "state-sponsored cyber actors" on its sanctions list.

Neuberger's trip to Seoul follows President Joe Biden's visit there in May for a summit with South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol, less than two weeks after Yoon took office.

The NSC spokesperson noted Biden and Yoon had agreed to expand their "bilateral cooperation on regional and international cyber issues and confront cyber threats, including from the Democratic People's Republic of Korea," referring to North Korea by its official name.