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The funds were allegedly used to finance the regime’s illegal weapons development, according to a civil forfeiture complaint filed in the District Court for Washington, D.C.
North Korean IT Network Exploited Global Remote Work
The DOJ revealed that North Korean IT specialists obtained remote employment with international companies under false identities, earning cryptocurrency that was funneled back to Pyongyang. These operations served to circumvent U.S. sanctions and bolster North Korea’s state-controlled weapons programs.
The civil action is connected to an earlier April 2023 indictment of Sim Hyon Sop, a representative of North Korea’s Foreign Trade Bank. Sim was accused of conspiring with IT operatives to launder illicit earnings. U.S. authorities successfully tracked, froze, and seized the stolen funds during the investigation.
U.S. Officials Emphasize Ongoing Threat
“This seizure further highlights North Korea’s use of the cryptocurrency ecosystem for illicit purposes,” said Matthew R. Galeotti, Director of the DOJ’s Criminal Division. “We will continue to use all legal means to protect the crypto space and prevent North Korea from using its illicit profits.”
Sue J. Bai, Director of the National Security Agency, added: “North Korea has been known for years to use global IT services and cryptocurrency systems for its own weapons projects. This multimillion-dollar seizure demonstrates DOJ’s commitment to disrupting these illicit financial systems.”
Broader Implications
The case underscores a growing concern over crypto-based sanctions evasion and North Korea’s ability to exploit digital assets to sustain prohibited activities. It also reinforces the U.S. government’s active role in tracking blockchain transactions and securing the digital financial system from rogue actors.
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