UN "North Korean hacker group 'Kimsuky' hacks IAEA and KAI"

[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Cho Hyun-ui] It has been revealed that North Korea carried out cyberattacks targeting the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and South Korean defense companies.

On the 8th, the Nikkei newspaper reported this, citing a report to be released next month by the expert panel of the UN Security Council’s North Korea Sanctions Committee.

According to the report, the hacker group 'Kimsuky' under North Korea’s Reconnaissance General Bureau conducted attacks targeting the IAEA using phishing techniques that lure victims to fake websites to input personal information.

The UN North Korea Sanctions Committee also stated that Kimsuky likely attempted to hack the VPN (Virtual Private Network) devices of Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI), a domestic defense equipment company, to steal technical data. In fact, in May last year, an IP (Internet Protocol) address believed to be from Kimsuky was reported to have infiltrated the network of the Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute.

The sanctions committee further revealed that North Korea has been continuously illegally acquiring cryptocurrency through cyberattacks. According to one member state, from 2020 until mid-last year, North Korea stole a total of $50 million worth of cryptocurrency from at least three exchanges based in North America, Europe, and Asia through cyberattacks.

The report also cited private reports stating, "North Korea carried out seven cyberattacks on exchanges and investment companies last year, stealing cryptocurrency worth a total of $400 million."

North Korea used the money earned in this way for nuclear and missile development, including the production of highly enriched uranium. According to a UN member state, North Korea has completed external construction and is conducting internal modifications at the experimental light-water reactor at the Yongbyon nuclear facility. The operation of the 5 MW reactor was confirmed to have resumed in July last year.

As North Korea has launched missiles seven times this year, including provocations with intermediate-range ballistic missiles (IRBMs), raising military tensions on the Korean Peninsula, the report also highlights strategic and technological advancements in North Korea’s ballistic missile development.

The sanctions committee stated, "North Korea has introduced new ballistic missile technology combining liquid-fueled rockets with hypersonic glide vehicles, and it has also been confirmed that they are modifying short-range ballistic missiles to be deployed as submarine-launched ballistic missiles (SLBMs) for maritime deployment."

It was also confirmed that sanctions violations continue, including coal exports prohibited by Security Council resolutions using ship-to-ship transfer methods and smuggling refined petroleum products far exceeding the limits set by the Security Council.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.