By Song Sang-ho

WASHINGTON, July 31 (Yonhap) -- South Korea, the United States, Japan and eight other countries on Friday issued a joint alert about North Korean information technology (IT) workers accused of generating revenue to help fund Pyongyang's weapons of mass destruction programs.

The relevant authorities of the 11 countries released the alert, urging all countries, companies and other entities to deepen their understanding of North Korean IT worker schemes, implement measures to deal with them and strengthen countermeasures, such as enhancing identity verification procedures.

"North Korea relies upon a network of skilled Information Technology workers, deployed within and outside of North Korea, to obtain false identities and remotely earn income to fund North Korea's unlawful nuclear weapons and ballistic missile programs," they said in the alert released by the U.S. State Department.

They pointed out that North Korean IT workers impersonate nationals of other countries to obtain work and income through online platforms operated by private companies for employment, procurement and contracting of services.

"These workers seek out contracts with the intent of remitting their salaries to their parent North Korean agencies. They also pose an insider threat to companies and are involved in data exfiltration, cryptocurrency theft, and theft of sensitive information," they said.

"North Korean IT workers employ increasingly sophisticated methods, including the integration of AI, to obfuscate their identities and expand their activities globally."

All U.N. member states must repatriate to North Korea all North Korean nationals earning income in that member state's jurisdiction, subject to limited exceptions, they stressed, citing a U.N. Security Council resolution on the reclusive regime.

"Additionally, contracting with North Korean IT workers and paying them for services rendered may also violate the domestic laws of many countries, including Japan, the United States, and the Republic of Korea, and may result in legal consequences or financial penalties," they said.

The countries that issued the joint alert included Britain, Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands and New Zealand.

sshluck@yna.co.kr

(END)

  • Police drop underage dating charge against actor Kim Soo-hyun
  • Fans, celebrities support BTS' Grammy boycott
  • S. Korea formally completes development of homegrown KF-21 fighter jet
  • S. Korea in talks with U.S. military over air base access following white phosphorus leak: sources

  • BTS' 'Arirang' returns to top 10 on Billboard 200

  • S. Korea formally completes development of homegrown KF-21 fighter jet

  • Police drop underage dating charge against actor Kim Soo-hyun
  • Fans, celebrities support BTS' Grammy boycott
  • S. Korea in talks with U.S. military over air base access following white phosphorus leak: sources

  • Trump threatens 'substantial' Section 301 tariffs on EU after Google fine

  • Fans, celebrities support BTS' Grammy boycott

  • (2nd LD) U.S. military drone flies over inter-Korean border area, prompts civilian evacuation
  • U.S. mulling US$100,000 fee for foreign students hoping to work after graduation: WSJ
  • New U.S. Ambassador Steel calls for building 'results oriented, forward leaning' alliance with S. Korea
  • N. Korea denounces move by U.S. military in Japan to increase troop numbers