South Korean government has announced it is imposing sanctions on 15 individuals linked to North Korea, accusing them of engaging in illegal cyber activities to steal money for the country’s weapons program. These sanctions are a response to the growing concerns over cyber theft and the role it plays in supporting North Korea’s pursuit of powerful weapons, including nuclear arms.
The individuals targeted by the sanctions are believed to be part of a larger network that uses digital methods, including hacking and stealing cryptocurrency, to fund North Korea’s military efforts. The South Korean Ministry of Foreign Affairs claims that these people are working as IT experts in various parts of the world, including countries like China, Russia, Southeast Asia, and Africa. They supposedly disguise their identities by working for local IT companies or carrying out cyber attacks, all while secretly supporting North Korea’s weapons development.
According to reports, these 15 individuals work under a division known as the 313 General Bureau. This group is a part of North Korea’s Ministry of Military and Industry, and it’s responsible for overseeing the country’s weapons production and research. The individuals under sanctions are accused of helping fund North Korea’s weapons of mass destruction (WMD) program, which includes not just nuclear weapons, but also chemical and biological arms.
These people are said to be skilled hackers who carry out attacks on cryptocurrency platforms, stealing large sums of money. In 2024 alone, North Korean hackers are believed to have stolen more than $1 billion, with much of the stolen money likely going to fund the country’s WMD ambitions.
