The United States Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) has taken a significant step in the fight against cybercrime by imposing sanctions on the Kimsuky hacking group, which is backed by North Korea. This action is in response to the group’s illicit activities, which include stealing valuable intelligence to further North Korea’s strategic objectives.
U.S. slaps additional sanctions against N. Korea
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OFAC has imposed sanctions on eight North Korean agents. These individuals have been identified as key players in facilitating evasion of international sanctions imposed on North Korea, and have been instrumental in supporting their country’s weapons of mass destruction (WMD) programs.
These agents have been actively involved in circumventing the sanctions imposed by the international community on North Korea, thereby undermining global efforts to curb North Korea’s WMD programs. Their activities have not only aided North Korea in evading sanctions but have also directly contributed to the advancement of their country’s WMD programs.
The actions taken today are a direct response to the alleged launch of a military reconnaissance satellite by the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) on November 21. This move is aimed at curtailing the DPRK’s ability to generate income, procure resources, and gather intelligence that could potentially aid in the advancement of its weapons of mass destruction (WMD) program.
The launch of the satellite is seen as a significant step by the DPRK in enhancing its military capabilities and gathering crucial intelligence.
“Active since 2012, Kimsuky is subordinate to the UN- and U.S. designated Reconnaissance General Bureau (RGB), the DPRK’s primary foreign intelligence service,” the Department of Treasury said today.
“Malicious cyber activity associated with the Kimsuky advanced persistent threat is also known in the cybersecurity industry as APT43, Emerald Sleet, Velvet Chollima, TA406, and Black Banshee.”
Back in August 2010, the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), a financial intelligence and enforcement agency of the U.S. Treasury Department, established a significant connection between the Kimsuky hacking group and North Korea’s Reconnaissance General Bureau (RGB). The RGB is recognized as North Korea’s primary foreign intelligence service, responsible for intelligence collection and conducting secret operations.
The group in question initially focused its operations on South Korean targets. These included government institutions, think tanks, and individuals recognized as experts in a variety of fields. However, over time, the group expanded its operational scope. It began to include targets associated with other countries and international organizations.
This expansion saw the group extending its operations to targets linked to the United States, Russia, and Europe. It also started targeting entities associated with the United Nations.
Kimsuky, has a primary focus that is centered around the collection and analysis of intelligence. This intelligence pertains specifically to foreign policy and national security issues related to the Korean peninsula. In addition, they also show a keen interest in nuclear policy.
They delve deeper into understanding the intricacies of foreign policy decisions and national security measures taken by countries involved with the Korean peninsula.
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