North Korea's state hackers fund nuclear, missile development

From training to moving proceeds, Pyongyang involved every step of the way

A North Korean missile is displayed at a military parade in Pyongyang on July 27. Cryptocurrency stolen by state hackers are a key source of funding for such weapons. (KCNA via Reuters)

TETSUYA FUJITA, Nikkei Seoul bureau chief

August 23, 2023 10:00 JST

SEOUL -- As North Korea feels the squeeze of protracted international sanctions, the government is leaning on an army of state-sponsored hackers as a source of income.

North Korean hackers stole as much as $1 billion in cryptocurrencies in 2022, a record amount, according to a United Nations report. This equates to 13 times the country's total exports. Around 30% was used to fund North Korea's nuclear and missile development, the report says.