“North Korea stole $700 million in digital currency”

According to Yonhap news, a senior NIS official stated that North Korean hackers confirmed they stole $700 million worth of digital currency in 2022 at two separate times.

The official noted that the cryptocurrencies are not yet convertible into cash and that the amount is equivalent to the money that would allow North Korea to launch 30 ICBMs.

Noting that despite pressure from the international community, North Korea will focus on stealing and monetizing crypto assets, the official said, “We estimate that the amount obtained by hackers constitutes about 30 percent of North Korea’s total foreign currency revenue.” saying.

North Korea’s attempts to infiltrate the space and defense industries in South Korea and abroad have increased since it announced plans to focus on launching satellites into space and increasing nuclear capacity, the official said.

Noting that NIS will increase cooperation with local exchanges to counter increasing North Korean cyberattacks, the official announced that a North Korean hacker trying to get a job at the office of a South Korean energy company in the third country was also detected in June.

The hacker, who shared his resume on business social networking and sharing platform LinkedIn, was reported to have used fake passports and graduation certificates during the hiring process. (AA)