China Is Reluctant to Blame North Korea, Its Ally, for Cyberattack -
By PAUL MOZUR and JANE PERLEZMAY 17, 2017
North Korea may be politically isolated, but the country is suspected of having thousands of hackers capable
of carrying out global cyberattacks, like the recent ransomware attack in more than 150 countries.
If we add another virus, the image of North Korea in the eyes of China will be even worse.”
Within China news organizations, both state-run and private, reported on the hacking
attacks, as well as the possible links to North Korea, hours after it occurred.
Regarding the ransomware attack, China analysts say Beijing will hesitate before directly
casting blame on North Korea even if evidence directly ties the North to the attack.
As evidence mounts that North Korea may have links to a ransomware attack
that destroyed more than 200,000 computers globally — and hit 40,000 institutions in China — China’s response has been muted, like a parent unwilling to confront an unruly teenager.
Security analysts say some attacks are also carried out from North Korea, but are limited by the fact
that the country has only one main portal to the internet, through China’s state telecom operator China Unicom.
Security analysts say North Korean hackers operate out of hotels, restaurants
and internet cafes in northeastern Chinese cities like Shenyang and Dandong, which are outposts for trade with North Korea.