<p class="p1"><span class="s1">North Korea is using sophisticated hacking methods to obtain hundreds of millions of dollars from financial institutions in violation of international sanctions, claims a UN report. </span></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1">Hackers have even targeted UN members directly, using spear-phishing emails in an attempt to steal passwords and other credentials.</span></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1">Last week, the US Government accused Pyongyang of running a hackers-for-hire system in which it offers talent to governments or criminals organizations in return for money. Two Chinese nationals were indicted and sanctioned last month for helping North Korean hackers launder $100 million in stolen funds.</span></p>
<p>North Korea&#8217;s hacking operation <span class="s1">is “low-risk, high reward,” and “difficult to detect,” reads the UN report. And it may be lucrative enough to</span><span class="s1"> counter the sanctions designed to force North Korean dictator Kim Jong-un to abandon his nukes.</span></p>
<p><strong>According to satellite images, the regime has continued its short-range missile tests despite international sanctions. </strong></p>
<p>Pyongyang is also raising money in violation of sanctions by<span class="s1"> smuggling coal and other goods to China using dangerous ship-to-ship (STS) transfers. </span></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1">“STS transfers have become a staple among North Korea’s sanctions-busters as they have sought to avoid scrutiny by transferring oil, coal, and other cargoes away from port and in the open ocean where they are difficult to detect with satellite imagery.”</span></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1">North Korea has recalled most of its vessels in response to the coronavirus, but we can expect this illicit activity to resume when the pandemic subsides. </span></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1"><strong>Author’s Note:</strong> Unfortunately it looks like China is helping North Korea evade international sanctions; I wouldn&#8217;t be surprised if this is done with support from Beijing. </span></p>