⁍ A senior U.S. justice official accused China on Thursday of helping North Korea launder money from massive cyber thefts.

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⁍ The official also said North Korea was likely getting support from China in the form of cyber expertise and training.

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– A top US official has accused China of helping North Korea evade international sanctions by helping the country launder money from massive cyberattacks. “The other thing … that really pops out of our cases … is the involvement of China in helping the North Koreans evade the sanctions,” John Demers, the assistant attorney general for national security, said Thursday at a Washington think tank, per Reuters. “In helping them launder money that they have somehow gotten or that they want to bring into the regime, or that they’ve stolen and otherwise, helping them sort of move goods,” Demers said. “There is support through Chinese cyber infrastructure, there’s likely support in terms of sharing expertise and training from the Chinese side,” he added. Demers said those involved in violating Chinese-backed international sanctions imposed on North Korea over its nuclear and missile programs included unscrupulous private individuals and businesses. “But probably the biggest issue is going to be countries like China that … don’t want North Korea to fail,” he said. In March, the US Justice Department charged two Chinese nationals with laundering more than $100 million in cryptocurrency on behalf of North Korea. Demers appeared to go further in suggesting Chinese state involvement, a charge that comes at a time when the Trump administration has stepped up attacks on China in the run-up to the Nov. 3 US presidential election. A spokesperson for the Chinese embassy in Washington said China had always been implementing US resolutions on North Korea. “The Chinese government is a staunch defender of cyber security and firmly opposes and fights all forms of cyber attacks and crimes in accordance with law.”