Cryptocurrency Stolen by N. Korea
North Korea already stole tens of billions of won of digital currencies from South Korea through hacking attacks and is still trying to attack cryptocurrency exchanges this year as well.
The National Intelligence Service (NIS) told a parliamentary intelligence committee on Feb. 5 that North Korean hackers have attacked cryptocurrency exchanges, according to Kim Byung-ki, a ruling Democratic Party legislator who participated in the committee's closed session.
The NIS said in a report, “North Korean hackers sent hacking e-mails to domestic virtual currency exchanges and members in South Korea to steal passwords of members and took away virtual money worth tens of billions won.”
The NIS also said North Korean hackers used the technology of a famous security company to neutralize vaccines and sent hacking e-mails disguised as job applications taking advantage of the fact that domestic exchanges employ new employees as occasion demands.
The NIS said, “North Korea keeps launching hacking attacks on security-related agents, defense businesses and officials related to North Korean groups. We found out that North Korea tried to hack into a defense business’ computer system last year so we prevented damages. In particular, the NIS warned of North Korea's continued cyber attacks this year, saying, “North Korea keeps trying to steal money, including digital currencies, this year and it is expected to diversify the subject of hacking, like the Internet.”