US, others warn blockchain players of alleged cryptocurrency theft by North Korea
Admin I Tuesday, January 14, 2025
WASHINGTON – The United States and its partners, Japan and the Republic of Korea(South Korea) have issued warning to players in the blockchain industry, alleging that the Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea, (North Korea) is involved in cryptocurrency theft.
In a statement, the group said the warning becomes necessary as a result of ongoing targeting and compromise of a range of entities across the globe by Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) cyber actors.
According to the statement, the DPRK’s cyber program poses threat to three countries and the broader international community and, in particular, poses a significant threat to the integrity and stability of the international financial system.
“Our three governments strive together to prevent thefts, including from private industry, by the DPRK and to recover stolen funds with the ultimate goal of denying the DPRK illicit revenue for its unlawful weapons of mass destruction and ballistic missile programs.
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“The advanced persistent threat groups affiliated with the DPRK, including the Lazarus Group, which was designated by the relevant authorities of our three countries, continue to demonstrate a pattern of malicious behavior in cyberspace by conducting numerous cybercrime campaigns to steal cryptocurrency and targeting exchanges, digital asset custodians, and individual users”, the statement said, adding that in 2024 alone, “our governments have individually and jointly attributed multiple thefts, denominated in virtual asset value in U.S. dollars, to the DPRK: DMM Bitcoin for $308 million, Upbit for $50 million, and Rain Management for $16.13 million.
“The United States and Republic of Korea additionally attribute to the DPRK, based on detailed industry analysis, thefts last year against WazirX for $235 million and Radiant Capital for $50 million”.
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