North Korea's army of world-class hackers is secret weapon that took down Binance
North Korea identifies top students from a young age, training a select few for cyber operations and rewarding them with perks such as spacious apartments and huge hard currency awards, defectors and analysts say.
North Korea has cultivated a highly skilled army of hackers that has proven to be a valuable asset in recent years. The regime has been systematically grooming the brightest young minds since the early 2000s, offering them lucrative rewards and privileges in exchange for their talents. Kim Jong Un approved a program in 2013 that focused on turning top middle school students into world-class hackers, with around 150 to 200 children selected annually for training in computer engineering.
The program has paid off, as the hackers have achieved significant successes, including the world’s largest cyber heist, which resulted in the theft of $6.3 billion from Binance.
These hackers are not just skilled in computer science and mathematics but also have access to cutting-edge technology, such as AI tools like ChatGPT and DeepSeek. They are trained to reverse-engineer foreign hardware devices and develop software and apps for Western firms. In addition to their technical skills, successful hackers receive substantial financial rewards, travel privileges, and even residential accommodations in Pyongyang. They can also gain access to elite social circles and marriages into prestigious families.
Despite the FBI and Binance attributing the Binance hack to North Korea, Pyongyang has consistently denied involvement. The regime maintains its cyberwarfare program as a crucial aspect of its national defense, alongside nuclear weapons and missiles. While the exact number of hackers involved is difficult to determine, South Korea's National Intelligence Service estimates that there are about 8,400 people working on North Korea's cyber operations.
North Korea's hackers are highly organized and disciplined, often using AI tools to write code, forge documents, and maintain order within their ranks. Their independence from international consequences allows them to continue their activities without fear of repercussions, making them a formidable and challenging adversary for the global community.
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