The U.S. has sought China’s help in blocking North Korean cyber attacks, the New York Times reported Saturday.
President Obama has promised to punish North Korea for its hack of Sony that led to cancellation of the movie “The Interview,” and his administration wishes to limit their ability to conduct such hacks in the future.
“What we are looking for is a blocking action, something that would cripple their efforts to carry out attacks,” an official told the Times.
North Korea’s telecommunications run through Chinese networks, but it’s unclear if the Chinese will cooperate with the U.S. request.
The U.S. is reportedly considering additional sanctions against the North Korean regime, particularly targeting the elite’s access to cash.
Dictator Kim Jong-Un and the North Korean elite live a lavish lifestyle, while their subjects and dissidents live in squalor and face horrific living conditions.
While the U.S. weighs a response to North Korea’s actions, officials warn they’re wary of escalating the situation.
“There are a lot of constraints on us, because we live in a giant glass house,” an official told the Times.
