The United Kingdom and the Republic of Korea (ROK) have reaffirmed their commitment to joint cybersecurity initiatives, following the 4th Republic of Korea-UK Cyber Dialogue held on 6 November 2024 in London.
This high-level meeting was co-chaired by Andrew Whittaker, Cyber Director at the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), and Rhee Dong-yeol, Ambassador for International Cyber Affairs in South Korea’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA), according to a press release.
The dialogue, involving around 50 officials from both nations’ cybersecurity-related agencies, highlighted both countries’ strategies and collaborative efforts to counter cyber threats. UK representation included officials from the FCDO, Cabinet Office, National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC), Department for Business and Trade (DBT), Home Office, Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT), and Ministry of Defence (MOD). Meanwhile, the ROK was represented by officials from MOFA, the National Security Office, and its National Cyber Security Centre.
The dialogue built on the Strategic Cyber Partnership established during President Yoon’s state visit to the UK in November 2023. Among the key issues discussed were strategies for deterring cyber threats, cooperation with the private sector, countering organised cybercrime and ransomware, and international collaboration to regulate commercial cyber intrusion capabilities.
Both countries committed to “deepening cooperation to respond to state-backed malicious cyber activities that impact each of our countries and undermine the rules-based international system,” the press release noted. They agreed to work with international partners to hold perpetrators of malicious cyber activities accountable and to signal that irresponsible cyber behaviour will incur consequences.
The agenda included addressing concerns around North Korea’s cyber activities, particularly its use of cyberattacks to steal cryptocurrency and technology in support of its weapons programme. Officials also expressed concerns over cyber operations in Russia’s ongoing war in Ukraine and highlighted the growing cyber collaboration between North Korea and Russia. Additionally, they discussed evidence of malicious cyber activity linked to China, noting the importance of constructive dialogue with China to enhance cyberspace security.
In addition to the main dialogue, joint workshops were conducted, focusing on effective policies to counter North Korea’s illicit activities, including cryptocurrency theft and cyber-specific sanctions aimed at disrupting malicious actors. The discussions included the sharing of best practices and lessons learned from both countries’ approaches to countering malign cyber activities.
A significant announcement during the dialogue confirmed the upcoming Defence Cyber Marvel (DCM4), the fourth iteration of the British Army Cyber Association’s cyber defence exercise. For the first time, DCM4 will be hosted in Seoul in February, with UK personnel deploying to South Korea to coordinate the event.
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