North Korea has stolen more than $ 300 million worth of cryptocurrency in recent months via computer attacks intended to fund its banned nuclear and ballistic programs, according to a confidential UN report.

This document, written by a group of experts tasked with monitoring the application of sanctions against Pyongyang, estimates that "in total the theft of virtual goods committed by the country between 2019 and November 2020 amounts to approximately 316.4 million dollars "(260 million euros), according to a member state of the United Nations.

Financial institutions and stock exchanges have been hacked in order to finance the development of North Korean nuclear and ballistic programs, according to this report which AFP was able to consult.

A large majority of the revenue came from two embezzlements committed at the end of 2020.

A vast network of hackers managed by Pyongyang

North Korea has deployed thousands of seasoned hackers to target businesses and institutions in South Korea and around the world. 

Their objective is also to find sources of income in the face of the multiple sanctions to which the country is subject because of its weapons programs.

Negotiations between Pyongyang and Washington have stalled since the failure of the Hanoi summit in 2019. One reason for this stalemate has been the lack of consensus on what concessions North Korea should make in exchange for a lift. international sanctions weighing on it.

Leader Kim Jong-un has since shown new missile models, including during military parades in October and January, and expressed his willingness to strengthen the country's nuclear arsenal.

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UN experts have said they are investigating the hack in September of a cryptocurrency exchange that resulted in the theft of $ 281 million.

Some $ 23 million was stolen a month later in a second cyberattack.

"An initial analysis of the vectors used for the attack and the means subsequently employed to launder the illicit proceeds reveals strong links with the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK)," according to the report.

North Korea suspected of carrying out further cyberattacks

Pyongyang's hacking abilities came to light in 2014, when the North was accused of attacking Sony Pictures Entertainment in revenge for "The Interview," a satire mocking Kim Jong-un.

Pyongyang is also suspected of stealing, in 2016, some $ 81 million from the Central Bank of Bangladesh (BCB) and, in 2017, some $ 60 million from the Taiwanese bank Far Eastern International.

Hackers are said to have stepped up attacks on bitcoin trading platforms, the value of which is constantly increasing.

With AFP

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