The U.N. sanctions monitor is investigating dozens of alleged cyberattacks by North Korea to help further develop its nuclear weapons program, according to excerpts from an unpublished U.N. report seen by Reuters. It is said that $3 billion was raised.
“The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) continued to ignore Security Council sanctions,” the Independent Sanctions Monitoring Committee reported to the Security Council committee, using North Korea’s official name.
“The panel is investigating 58 suspected cyberattacks by North Korea against crypto-related companies between 2017 and 2023. “It is reportedly funding the development of destructive weapons,” said a member of the 15-15-Security Council.
North Korea’s mission to the United Nations in New York did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the sanctions monitor’s report. North Korea has previously denied allegations of hacking and other cyberattacks.
Diplomats say the U.N. report is expected to be published this month or early next month.
According to sanctions monitoring authorities, a North Korean hacker group affiliated with North Korea’s main foreign intelligence agency is reportedly continuing to carry out numerous cyber attacks.
“Trends include North Korea targeting defense companies and supply chains, and increasing sharing of infrastructure and tools,” observers said.
North Korea has “further developed nuclear weapons and produced fissile material, but its last known nuclear test occurred in 2017,” the observers wrote, adding that North Korea continues to launch ballistic missiles. , also said it had put a satellite into orbit and added a “tactical nuclear weapon.” Add “Attack Submarine” to your arsenal.
For many years, North Korea has been prohibited from nuclear tests and ballistic missile launches by the 15-nation Security Council. It has been subject to UN sanctions since 2006, and the Security Council has repeatedly tightened sanctions in an effort to cut off funding for weapons of mass destruction (WMD) development.
The Council is unlikely to take any further action against North Korea, as there has been a stalemate on the issue for several years. China and Russia instead hope to ease sanctions to persuade North Korea to return to denuclearization talks.
Moscow and North Korea also vowed to deepen military ties in 2023. The United States has accused North Korea of supplying weapons to Russia for the Ukraine war, a charge both North Korea and Russia deny.
“The Committee is investigating reports from Member States regarding the supply of conventional arms and munitions by North Korea in violation of sanctions,” the sanctions watchdog wrote.
The isolated country imposed strict lockdowns during the coronavirus pandemic, reducing access to trade and aid, but has begun to recover in the last year.
“The overall trade volume recorded in 2023 exceeded the total in 2022, with the re-emergence of a wide variety of foreign consumer goods, some of which can be classified as luxury goods.” The supervisory authority wrote:
The sale or transfer of luxury goods to North Korea has long been prohibited by the Security Council. UN sanctions imposed in 2017 also required countries to repatriate North Koreans working abroad to prevent Kim Jong Un’s regime from earning foreign currency.
“The committee investigated reports of a number of North Korean nationals working and earning income abroad in violation of sanctions, including in the information technology, restaurant, and construction sectors,” the sanctions watchdog wrote.
It also said North Korea continues to access the international financial system and engage in illegal financial operations in violation of United Nations Security Council resolutions.
