London Daily

Focus on the big picture.
Monday, Jul 07, 2025

US Sanctions North Korea Over 'Malicious Cyber Activity'

US Sanctions North Korea Over 'Malicious Cyber Activity'

North Korea deploys thousands of tech workers abroad who engage in "malicious cyber activities that support the... government," a Treasury Department statement said.
The US government on Tuesday announced new sanctions on North Korean groups for what is said was the use of hackers to raise money for Pyongyang's weapons programs.

The targets of the sanctions "generate revenue by stealing funds from global financial institutions and other entities," Secretary of State Antony Blinken said in a statement.

North Korea deploys thousands of tech workers abroad who engage in "malicious cyber activities that support the... government," a Treasury Department statement said.

Four organizations were sanctioned, including the Pyongyang University of Automation, and the Chinyong Information Technology Cooperation Company, which the agency said controls workers deployed to Russia and Laos.

The other two organizations are the Technical Reconnaissance Bureau, an offensive cyber tactics unit which is subordinate to North Korea's premier intelligence bureau, and the 110th Research Center, which has targeted media and defense companies in South Korea, it said.

Also sanctioned was Kim Sang Man, who Treasury said was based in Vladivostok, in Russia's far east, and served as a paymaster.

Blinken said the sanctions were coordinated with South Korea.

North Korea "maintains a workforce of thousands of highly skilled IT workers around the world, primarily in the People's Republic of China and Russia," the Treasury statement said.

The workers often use stolen identities and proxy accounts to apply for jobs at foreign companies, using legitimate employment to shield other activities, it said.

The Treasury statement cited a UN report in March that said North Korean hackers "stole more virtual currency in 2022 than in any previous year, with estimates ranging from $630 million to over $1 billion -- reportedly doubling Pyongyang's total cyber theft proceeds in 2021."

North Korean hackers rose to prominence in 2014 with their alleged role in the hack of Sony Pictures in retaliation for the release of a satirical movie, "The Interview," that made fun of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.

The US administration will continue to combat North Korea's "continued efforts to steal money from financial institutions, virtual currency exchanges, companies, and private individuals around the world," said Brian Nelson, Treasury undersecretary for terrorism and financial intelligence.
Newsletter

Related Articles

0:00
0:00
Close
U.S. Enacts Sweeping Tax and Spending Legislation Amid Trade Policy Shifts
Football Mourns as Diogo Jota and Brother André Silva Laid to Rest in Portugal
Elon Musk Founds a Party Following a Poll on X: "You Wanted It – You Got It!"
London Stock Exchange Faces Historic Low in Initial Public Offerings
A new online platform has emerged in the United Kingdom, specifically targeting Muslim men seeking virgin brides
Trump Celebrates Independence Day with B-2 Flyover and Signs Controversial Legislation
Boris Johnson Urges Conservatives to Ignore Farage
SNP Ordered to Update Single-Sex Space Guidance Within Days
Starmer Set to Reject Calls for Wealth Taxes
Stolen Century-Old Rolls-Royce Recovered After Hotel Theft
Macron Presses Starmer to Recognise Palestinian State
Labour Delayed Palestine Action Ban Over Riot Concerns
Swinney’s Tax Comments ‘Offensive to Scots’, Say Tories
High Street Retailers to Enforce Bans on Serial Shoplifters
Music Banned by Henry VIII to Be Performed After 500 Years
Steve Coogan Says Working Class Is Being ‘Ethnically Cleansed’
Home Office Admits Uncertainty Over Visa Overstayer Numbers
JD Vance Questions Mandelson Over Reform Party’s Rising Popularity
Macron to Receive Windsor Carriage Ride in Royal Gesture
Labour Accused of ‘Hammering’ Scots During First Year in Power
BBC Head of Music Stood Down Amid Bob Vylan Controversy
Corbyn Eyes Hard-Left Challenge to Starmer’s Leadership
London Tube Trains Suspended After Major Fire Erupts Nearby
Richard Kemp: I Felt Safer in Israel Under Attack Than in the UK
Cyclist Says Police Cited Human Rights Act for Riding No-Handed
China’s Central Bank Consults European Peers on Low-Rate Strategies
AI Raises Alarms Over Long-Term Job Security
Saudi Arabia Maintains Ties with Iran Despite Israel Conflict
Musk Battles to Protect Tesla Amid Trump Policy Threats
Air France-KLM Acquires Majority Stake in Scandinavian Airlines
UK Educators Sound Alarm on Declining Child Literacy
Shein Fined €40 Million in France Over Misleading Discounts
Brazil’s Lula Visits Kirchner During Argentina House Arrest
Trump Scores Legislative Win as House Passes Tax Reform Bill
Keir Starmer Faces Criticism After Rocky First Year in Power
DJI Launches Heavy-Duty Coaxial Quadcopter with 80 kg Lift Capacity
U.S. Senate Approves Major Legislation Dubbed the 'Big Beautiful Bill'
Largest Healthcare Fraud Takedown in U.S. History Announced by DOJ
Poland Implements Border Checks Amid Growing Migration Tensions
Political Dispute Escalates Between Trump and Musk
Emirates Airline Expands Market Share with New $20 Million Campaign
Amazon Reaches Milestone with Deployment of One Millionth Robot
US Senate Votes to Remove AI Regulation Moratorium from Domestic Policy Bill
Yulia Putintseva Calls for Spectator Ejection at Wimbledon Over Safety Concerns
Jury Deliberations in Diddy Trial Yield Partial Verdict in Serious Criminal Charges
House Oversight Committee Subpoenas Former Jill Biden Aide Amid Investigation into Alleged Concealment of President Biden's Cognitive Health
King Charles Plans Significant Role for Prince Harry in Coronation
Two Chinese Nationals Arrested for Espionage Activities Against U.S. Navy
Amazon Reaches Major Automation Milestone with Over One Million Robots
Extreme Heat Wave Sweeps Across Europe, Hitting Record Temperatures
×