S. Korea, Singapore agree on close coordination against NK cyber threats

Lee Tae-woo, left, ambassador for international cyber affairs, poses with Chua Kuan Seah, deputy chief executive for development at Singapore's Cyber Security Agency, ahead of their meeting in Singapore, Tuesday. Courtesy of South Korea's foreign ministry. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)

South Korea and Singapore have agreed to closely work together for an "effective joint response" to North Korea's evolving illicit cyber activities, including its crypto thefts, and on other cyber-related policies, Seoul's foreign ministry said Wednesday.

The inaugural cyber policy dialogue took place in Singapore, led by Lee Tae-woo, ambassador for international cyber affairs at the foreign ministry, and Chua Kuan Seah, deputy chief executive for development at Singapore's Cyber Security Agency, on Tuesday.

The two sides shared assessments on recent cyber threat cases, including North Korea's attempts to steal virtual assets, and examined threat patterns by different actors involved, the ministry said in a release.

"They agreed on the need for close coordination to ensure an effective joint response to evolving (North Korean) cyber risks," it said.

The dialogue included discussions on the development of the cybersecurity ecosystem and the two countries' bilateral arrangement on the Internet of Things (IoT) security certification, under which consumer IoT security products are mutually recognized without additional testing.

The two sides discussed their respective cybersecurity policies and shared opinions on related trends and practices across the public, private and academic fields, and research and development, among others.

Both officials also agreed to enhance cooperation in establishing international norms in the cyber domain, including at the United Nations and other multilateral levels.