Sign up for our daily briefing
Make your busy days simpler with Axios AM/PM. Catch up on what's new and why it matters in just 5 minutes.
Stay on top of the latest market trends
Subscribe to Axios Markets for the latest market trends and economic insights. Sign up for free.
Sports news worthy of your time
Binge on the stats and stories that drive the sports world with Axios Sports. Sign up for free.
Tech news worthy of your time
Get our smart take on technology from the Valley and D.C. with Axios Login. Sign up for free.
Get the inside stories
Get an insider's guide to the new White House with Axios Sneak Peek. Sign up for free.
Catch up on coronavirus stories and special reports, curated by Mike Allen everyday
Catch up on coronavirus stories and special reports, curated by Mike Allen everyday
Want a daily digest of the top Denver news?
Get a daily digest of the most important stories affecting your hometown with Axios Denver
Want a daily digest of the top Des Moines news?
Get a daily digest of the most important stories affecting your hometown with Axios Des Moines
Want a daily digest of the top Twin Cities news?
Get a daily digest of the most important stories affecting your hometown with Axios Twin Cities
Want a daily digest of the top Tampa Bay news?
Get a daily digest of the most important stories affecting your hometown with Axios Tampa Bay
Want a daily digest of the top Charlotte news?
Get a daily digest of the most important stories affecting your hometown with Axios Charlotte
North Korea fans cheer at the finish during the Men's Slalom at the Winter Olympic Games Photo: Alexander Hassenstein/Getty Images
Tyson Meadors, the director for cybersecurity policy for the National Security Council (NSC,) said Thursday that if North Korea ever decided to integrate with the world economy, it could be an outsize cybersecurity powerhouse.
"If we brought North Korea into the rest of the economy of the world... they could be a relatively complementary partner in the global economy"— Tyson Meadors at a conference held by Association for Federal Information Resources Management and US Cyber Challenge
Why it matters: Think of it as the carrot to Trump's stick. Meadors is offering that North Korea could have a place in the world if it retreats from persistent nuclear brinksmanship and joins the international community. Plus, in this outcome, the Hermit Nation's considerable investment in hackers would not have been in vain.
Could it happen? Possibly. Meadors noted later in the speech that many smaller countries, particularly Israel and Estonia, have considerable cybersecurity industries. Israel's is largely borne from its military elite cyber forces, the venerable Unit 8200.
One last thing: "Cybersecurity talent can be used to many, many, many, many different ends. We're finding that countries that wield that power responsibly, that teach their workforce how to do so ethically - good things come with that," said Meadors.