“North Korea is developing the cyber army as one of the key components of its arsenal. The number of members is constantly expanding, “says Li Te-kyu, a member of the intelligence service of the South Korean parliament.
While the world’s attention is focused more on the nuclear and missile programs, the DPRK has quietly developed an equally dangerous cyber arsenal. The so-called Committee 121 has at least six thousand members and four unions with special tasks. They map the enemy’s network, look for vulnerabilities and attack them, Americans say.
The potential of cyber attacks has been recognized by previous leaders, but under Kim Jong-un, they have developed. The North Koreans learned from the Iranians, with whom they share a missile program. At the same time, they select people talented in mathematics and computer science for the Committee 121 and train them in communication technologies, intrusion into systems and the theft or falsification of information.
The DPRK earns two billion dollars a year from hackers, according to the UN
Hackers are said to be working for North Korea from abroad under the guise of fake companies. Most often from India and China, but also from Belarus, Malaysia and Russia. They attack the banks and the cryptocurrency, and the stolen money is then laundered to the DPRK. The UN estimates that profits exceed $ 2 billion a year. The target is often South Korean institutions.
“They are trying to do cyberterrorist activities such as sending infected emails and stealing military secrets. They seized secret documents from the Ministry of Defense. They infiltrated weapons manufacturers and obtained plans for ships and submarines, “added Li Te-kyu.
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