FBI Most Wanted
Park Jin Hyok
Charges
Conspiracy to commit telecommunications fraud; Conspiracy to commit computer-related fraud (computer intrusion)
Alias: Pak Jin Hek, Jin Hyok Park
Place of Birth: Democratic People's Republic of Korea (North Korea)
Hair: Black
Gender: Male
Race: Asian
Languages: English, Korean
Remarks
Park Jin Hyok studied at Kim Chaek University of Technology in North Korea. He is a North Korean citizen and the last known location was within North Korea. He traveled to China under the guise of the company 'Chosun Expo' or 'Korean Expo Joint Venture' to conduct legitimate information technology work while also carrying out tasks for the North Korean Reconnaissance General Bureau.
Notes
Park Jin Hyok is accused of being a North Korean programmer affiliated with a hacker organization supported by the North Korean government known as the 'Lazarus Group'. This group has been behind some of the most damaging computer intrusion incidents in history, including the cyber attack on Sony Pictures Entertainment, a series of attacks on global banks (attempting to steal over $1 billion), and the WannaCry ransomware attack that affected tens of thousands of computer systems worldwide.
Park Jin Hyok is accused of participating in an extensive criminal conspiracy carried out by a hacker group employed by a company operated by the North Korean government, known as 'Korean Expo Joint Venture', also referred to by researchers as the 'Lazarus Group'. On June 8, 2018, a federal arrest warrant was issued for Park Jin Hyok by the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California, after he was charged with one count of conspiracy to commit telecommunications fraud and one count of conspiracy to commit computer-related fraud (computer intrusion).
If you have any information about this person, please contact your local FBI office or the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate.
Agency Responsible: Los Angeles (FBI Office)