Cyber-Attacks by North Korea Raked in $3bn to Build Nuclear Weapons, UN Monitors Suspect

North Korea’s aggressive and covert cyber-attacks have reportedly generated significant sums of money, which have allegedly been used to fund its nuclear weapons programme. According to an unpublished UN report, Pyongyang’s cyber operations targeted cryptocurrency companies to the tune of $3 billion between 2017 and 2023. These funds, the report claims, have been instrumental in advancing North Korea’s development of weapons of mass destruction (WMD). This ongoing issue has sparked international concern, as North Korea continues to defy global sanctions.

Key Points from the UN Report:

1. $3 Billion in Cyber-Thefts
   North Korean hacking groups are suspected of carrying out 58 cyber-attacks on cryptocurrency-related companies, allegedly raising $3 billion. This money has reportedly been funneled into the country’s nuclear weapons programme.
2. Targeting of Defence Companies
   In addition to cryptocurrency firms, North Korea has been targeting defense companies and supply chains, sharing infrastructure and hacking tools to enhance the scale of these attacks.
3. Continued WMD Development
   Despite sanctions, North Korea is said to have advanced its nuclear capabilities, producing fissile materials and developing missiles. These actions have contravened UN resolutions, which have banned nuclear tests and missile launches since 2006.
4. Global Sanctions Violation
   North Korea has violated multiple UN sanctions, including the ban on luxury goods and overseas labor remittances. The country’s illicit activities are being investigated by UN sanctions monitors.

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Chart: North Korean Cyber-Attacks Overview

Year	Target	Value Stolen	Purpose	Action Taken
2017-2023	Cryptocurrency Firms	$3 Billion	Fund Nuclear Weapons Program	Ongoing UN Investigations
2017-2023	Defense Supply Chains	Undisclosed	Strengthen Military Capabilities	Increased Cyber-Attacks
2023	IT and Construction	Undisclosed	Violation of Sanctions	Investigation into Overseas Labor

Conclusion:

North Korea’s persistent cyber-attacks are more than just digital crimes; they are critical to funding the regime’s nuclear ambitions. Despite global sanctions and scrutiny, Pyongyang continues to bypass international measures to fund its military goals. As the UN monitors investigate these activities, the international community is left grappling with how to prevent the regime from further advancing its weapons of mass destruction.

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