UN observers on Wednesday (20/4) said that North Korea is now increasingly active and dependent on cybercrime to fund a series of weapons programs.
The Coordinator of the Panel of Experts on UN Security Council sanctions against North Korea, Eric Penton-Voak, also said North Korean cyber actors have excellent capabilities and cannot be underestimated.
"Basically North Korea's ability to continue to develop weapons of mass destruction depends on three things, knowledge, specialized equipment and products, and money," Penton-Voak said, as quoted by Yonhap.
Penton-Voak noted that North Korea continues to evade UN Security Council sanctions in order to obtain material for its weapons through a sophisticated network of global trade representatives with diplomatic status.
He said North Korea has increasingly relied on cyber activity to earn illegal revenue since 2017. A North Korean hacker known as Lazarus was recently found to be involved in a $625 million crypto hack against Axie Infinity.
In its biannual report to the UN Security Council on North Korean sanctions earlier this month, the UN Panel of Experts said that North Korea may have stolen $400 million worth of cryptocurrency in 2021.
Penton-Voak stressed that at least part of North Korea's illicit income goes to finance its nuclear and ballistic missile programs.
North Korea's success in cyberspace is evidenced by the increasing number of missile tests in recent months. North Korea has carried out more than a dozen missile tests since late last year.
On that basis, Penton-Voak emphasized the need for strong regulations to protect cyberspace. He also highlighted the need for countries, especially the US and South Korea, to cooperate in this regard.
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