Why did Jeong Yeon-doo say cryptocurrency thefts have international security implications?

Jeong said the recent rise in cryptocurrency thefts means their significance extends beyond cybercrime incidents. His remarks followed an accusation that North Korea stole more than $6 billion in cryptocurrency from Binance.

What cybersecurity changes did Jeong Yeon-doo call for in response to AI-driven attacks?

Jeong called for a wholesale overhaul of the cybersecurity paradigm, saying AI-driven cyberattacks could take place at an unprecedented pace and scale.

Senior Seoul diplomat says crypto heists carry 'significant' int'l security implications

Q: Who attended the South Korea-OSCE cybersecurity conference in Vienna?

About 100 people attended, including representatives from Japan, Australia, Thailand, Afghanistan and Qatar, as well as cybersecurity experts and officials from relevant international organizations.

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Summary

Vice Foreign Minister Jeong Yeon-doo said at a South Korea-OSCE cybersecurity conference in Vienna on Tuesday that recent cryptocurrency thefts have significant international security implications. He called for a wholesale overhaul of cybersecurity to address AI-driven attacks that could occur at unprecedented pace and scale. Jeong also stressed the links between security in the Indo-Pacific and Europe and the importance of bilateral cooperation. The annual conference, held by Seoul since 2017, drew about 100 participants.

Key Facts

North Korea was accused late last month of stealing more than $6 billion in cryptocurrency from Binance.
The conference included representatives from Japan, Australia, Thailand, Afghanistan and Qatar, along with cybersecurity experts and officials from international organizations.
South Korea and the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe co-hosted the conference.

By Yonhap

Published Nov 11, 2026 2:18 pm KST

Vice Foreign Minister for Strategy and Intelligence Jeong Yeon-doo, right, speaks during a cybersecurity conference between South Korea and the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe in Vienna, Tuesday. Courtesy of foreign ministry

A senior South Korean diplomat has said that recent crypto thefts carry "significant" global security implications, calling for an overhaul of the cybersecurity paradigm to address growing threats of artificial intelligence (AI)-driven cyberattacks, according to the foreign ministry.

Vice Foreign Minister for Strategy and Intelligence Jeong Yeon-doo made the remarks during a cybersecurity conference co-hosted by South Korea and the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) in Vienna on Tuesday, after North Korea was accused late last month of stealing more than $6 billion in cryptocurrency from Binance.

"Mentioning the recent rise in cryptocurrency thefts, Vice Foreign Minister Jeong said such incidents carry significant international security implications beyond the incidents simply being cybercrimes," the ministry said in a press release.

"In addition, Jeong called for a wholesale overhaul of the cybersecurity paradigm that befits the AI era given that AI-driven cyberattacks could take place at an unprecedented pace and scale," it added.

Jeong also pointed out the interconnectedness of security in the Indo-Pacific region and Europe, stressing the importance of bilateral cooperation.

Tuesday's conference was attended by some 100 people, including representatives from Japan, Australia, Thailand, Afghanistan and Qatar, as well as cybersecurity experts and officials from relevant international organizations.

The Seoul government has held the conference annually since 2017 to discuss responses to transnational security challenges.

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