Archive · 31 Dec 2025
North Korea Funds Military with Cyber Theft
North Korea has been using hackers to steal money from banks and cryptocurrency exchanges.
This money helps them build missiles and nuclear weapons.
They use groups like the Lazarus Group to hack into systems and steal billions of dollars.
The stolen money is then used to develop weapons of mass destruction.
The United Nations has reported that these cyberattacks are a major source of income for North Korea.
To stop this, a team of countries has been formed to monitor and report these activities.
They urge the United Nations to take stronger actions to enforce sanctions against North Korea.
North Korea held a military parade on October 10, 2025, showcasing new ICBMs, cruise missiles, and rocket-equipped drone systems.
Cyber theft, primarily targeting financial institutions and cryptocurrency exchanges, is the main source of funding for North Korea's military arsenal.
State-sponsored hacker groups like the Lazarus Group (APT38) and Kimsuky (APT37) are responsible for major cyber heists and espionage.
A 2024 UN report estimated that North Korea-linked cyberattacks generated approximately US$ 3 billion between 2017 and 2023.
The Multilateral Sanctions Monitoring Team (MSMT) was formed to monitor and report on the implementation of UN sanctions against North Korea.
- Who
- North Korea, specifically state-sponsored hacker groups like Lazarus Group and Kimsuky
- What
- Cyber theft to fund military arsenal, including ICBMs, missiles, and nuclear programs
- When
- Ongoing, with significant events in 2022 and 2025
- Where
- Globally, targeting financial institutions and cryptocurrency exchanges
- Why
- To generate foreign currency for military development and evade international sanctions
- Date
- October 10, 2025
- Event
- Military parade celebrating 80th anniversary of ruling party
- Funding Source
- Cyber theft, primarily targeting financial institutions and cryptocurrency exchanges
- Estimated Funds
- US$ 3 billion between 2017 and 2023
- Notable Hacker Groups
- Lazarus Group (APT38), Kimsuky (APT37)
- Largest Theft
- GBP 1.1 billion (USD 1.5 billion) in 2023
- 2025 Crypto Theft
- US$ 2.84 billion
- Sanctions Monitoring Team
- Multilateral Sanctions Monitoring Team (MSMT)