In 2024, hackers from North Korea stole cryptocurrency assets worth approximately $659 million.
This is stated in joint statements by South Korea, the United States and Japan, Yonhap reports.
Last year, hackers from the DPRK stole $235 million from the Indian bitcoin exchange WazirX and $50 million from the Radiant Capital platform. In addition, cybercriminals stole about $374.13 million from crypto exchanges DMM Bitcoin, Upbit and Rain Management, the statement says.
South Korea, the United States, and Japan have designated North Korea-linked hacker groups, including Lazarus Group, for sanctions.
This is the first public statement in which the three countries have jointly identified cryptocurrency thefts linked to North Korea and their targets, the report said.
The statement noted that Pyongyang used “well-hidden” attacks that eventually deploy malware, demonstrating “a pattern of malicious behavior in cyberspace by conducting multiple cybercriminal campaigns” to steal crypto assets.
“Our three governments are working together to prevent thefts, especially from the private sector, by the DPRK and to recover stolen funds, with the ultimate goal of denying North
"Korea is making illegal profits from its illegal weapons of mass destruction programs," the statement said.
The countries also stressed that North Korea’s cyber program poses a significant threat to the integrity and stability of the international financial system.
