18912_2.pdf (1 MB)

North Korea is described as expanding cyber operations into a major revenue and strategic tool as sanctions restrict traditional foreign-currency channels. The excerpt cites Chainalysis data that North Korean cryptocurrency theft reached about $1.34 billion in 2024, more than 60% of global stolen crypto value, and links those proceeds to funding for nuclear and missile development. The activity is framed as evolving beyond simple hacking into money laundering, information theft, and supply-chain intrusion, creating risks for international financial security and national infrastructure. The source also notes that the United States, Japan, the EU, and South Korea are strengthening sanctions, information sharing, counter-hacking, legal authorities, and public-private defense coordination, while weakened UN monitoring limits collective pressure.