Recent investigations by South Korean authorities have revealed that hackers from North Korea successfully stole cryptocurrency valued at 58 billion South Korean won, approximately $41.5 million, in 2019. The National Investigation Agency confirmed that the notorious hacker groups, Lazarus and Andariel, orchestrated this cyber heist. The total amount of stolen Ethereum (ETH) has now escalated to a staggering 1.47 trillion South Korean won.
What Evidence Links North Korea to the Theft?
This report signifies the first formal admission by a South Korean agency regarding North Korea’s participation in cryptocurrency theft. Earlier accusations had emerged from the United Nations and various nations, pointing fingers at the rogue state.
How Much of the Stolen Cryptocurrency Has Been Recovered?
Authorities have traced the cyber attacks by analyzing IP addresses and tracking the movement of funds. They utilized linguistic clues tied to North Korean dialects and collaborated with the FBI for further insights. A portion of the stolen assets was recovered in 2020 at a Swiss cryptocurrency exchange, with 4.8 BTC recently returned to Upbit, valued at around 600 million South Korean won.
- North Korean hackers are linked to $41.5 million theft.
- This marks the first official recognition of their involvement.
- International cooperation is vital for combating such cyber crimes.
While specific tactics used by the North Korean hackers remain undisclosed to avoid similar future incidents, South Korean police stress the importance of working together globally to fight against the rise of cryptocurrency thefts. This case highlights the ongoing challenges posed by state-sponsored cybercrime in the world of digital assets.