The United States, Japan and South Korea have issued a joint warning about the growing activity of North Korean malicious actors who are aggressively targeting the cryptocurrency industry. In 2024 alone, they embezzled approximately $659 million in cryptocurrencies.
US, Japan and South Korea accuse North Korea
In a recent statementthe three countries highlighted that cybercriminal groups associated with the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) are conducting a series of digital asset theft campaigns.
Among the main groups involved is the notorious Lazarus, a group of hackers that, according to US authorities, has been active in cyber attacks globally since 2009. Only in 2024, these malicious actors managed to divert approximately 659 million dollars in cryptocurrencies.
The tactics used by North Korean hackers include sophisticated social engineering attacks, carefully disguised to deceive their victims, the three countries warned.
One of the most worrying methods involves criminals acting as independent workers in the area of information technology (IT), allowing them to infiltrate the systems of private sector companies.
Since 2022, the United States has published guidelines to help identify workers potentially associated with North Korea.
Among the warning signs mentioned are the use of multiple IP addresses to access systems, the transfer of funds to accounts located in the People's Republic of China, the requirement for payments in cryptocurrencies, inconsistencies in your professional history data and frequent unavailability during the normal working period.
Once they gain access to targeted systems, hackers often deploy malware, such as keyloggers and remote access tools, that allow them to steal login credentials. With this access, manage to take possession of cryptocurrencieswhich are then transferred to wallets under your control.
Furthermore, stolen cryptocurrencies are not used for good purposes...
United Nations investigations in 2022 revealed that funds stolen by these groups have been used to finance North Korea's ballistic missile programs.
The governments of the United States, Japan and South Korea reinforced their commitment to work together to prevent these thefts, support the private sector in defending against such threats and recover misappropriated funds.
The ultimate goal is to deny the DPRK access to illicit revenues that could be channeled into the development of weapons of mass destruction and illegal ballistic programs.
Our three governments strive to face these threats unitedly, protecting both private industries and global security.
They stated in a joint statement.
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Source: pplware.sapo.pt
