US Asks China to Help Rein In Korean Hackers

The Obama Administration has sought China’s help in blocking North Korea’s ability to launch cyberattacks, the first steps toward the “proportional response” President Barack Obama vowed to make the North pay for the assault on Sony Pictures — and as part of a campaign to issue a broader warning against future hacking, according to senior administration officials. “What we are looking for is a blocking action, something that would cripple their efforts to carry out attacks,” one official said. So far, the Chinese have not responded. Their cooperation would be critical, since virtually all of North Korea’s telecommunications run through Chinese-operated networks. It is unclear that China would choose to help, given tensions over computer security between Washington and Beijing.