Seoul Reportedly Claims North Korea’s Theft of Classified Data on Advanced Laser Weapon

Seoul has accused North Korean hackers of stealing classified information on a new laser weapon system and important South Korean defense secrets. The North Korean hacker group, known as Andariel, allegedly gained access to a large cache of data from defense and research firms in the South, resulting in the theft of 1.2 terabytes of data, including details about advanced anti-aircraft weapons. The Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency and the US Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) are currently collaborating to determine the extent of the data leak by the group.

Andariel has been listed by the US Department of the Treasury as a North Korean state-sponsored hacking group, specializing in malicious cyber operations targeting foreign businesses, government agencies, and the defense industry. The Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency, which is leading the investigation, revealed that Andariel accessed proxy servers 83 times between December and March.

The investigation further revealed that Andariel not only stole 1.2 terabytes of data from South Korean organizations but also extorted a total of 470 million won (approximately $357,000) in Bitcoin from three domestic and foreign companies as ransom. North Korean hackers have been frequently associated with cyberattacks that result in substantial financial gains, although Pyongyang has consistently denied involvement in cybercrime.

In 2022, North Korean hackers reportedly stole around $1.7 billion worth of cryptocurrency through cyberattacks on digital currency outlets, as reported by The Economist. The previous year, they had managed to steal approximately $400 million worth of cryptocurrency. Despite facing numerous international restrictions due to its nuclear weapons and ballistic missiles development, analysts believe that North Korea has also been investing in strengthening its cyber capabilities, employing a large number of skilled hackers to generate funds for its weapons programs.