The nominee for U.S. Central Intelligence Agency(CIA) director has listed North Korea as one of the four biggest threats to the U.S. along with terrorists, China and Russia.

Asked whether terrorists mount as the biggest threat to the U.S. at his Senate confirmation hearing on Thursday, Mike Pompeo agreed, but also added North Korea, China and Russia are "right up there alongside them."

Pompeo noted North Korea has disregarded international pressure and "dangerously" accelerated its nuclear and missile capabilities.

While assessing that countries like North Korea were previously considered to only have unsophisticated cyberwarfare capabilities, he said now they have overcome technology barriers and can perform aggressive operations.

He said, however, that the cyberwarfare abilities of the North and Iran are yet to reach the levels of China and Russia. 

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