The United States, Japan, and South Korea have jointly issued a warning about the escalating threat posed by North Korean-affiliated cryptocurrency hackers. Notorious groups, including the Lazarus Group, have been implicated in significant cyber thefts, such as the $600 million Ronin network hack and the $230 million breach of the WazirX exchange.
In 2024, North Korean hackers were responsible for stealing over $1.34 billion in digital assets across 47 incidents, marking a 102% increase from the $660 million stolen in 2023. This amount represents more than 61% of the total crypto value stolen during the year.
The joint statement emphasizes the threat these cyber activities pose to the integrity and stability of the international financial system. The three nations have committed to collaborative efforts to prevent such thefts and recover stolen funds, aiming to deny North Korea illicit revenue for its weapons programs.
This announcement follows South Korea’s recent sanctions against 15 North Koreans accused of generating funds for the country’s nuclear weapons development through cryptocurrency heists and cyber theft.
