This is stated in a joint statement issued by the United States, Japan, South Korea, Australia, Canada, and a number of European countries on July 31.
According to the UN, North Korean IT specialists working remotely for foreign companies use fictitious names and modern technologies, including artificial intelligence, are securing remote jobs at foreign companies and are primarily funneling their earnings to the government in Pyongyang, according to the Turkish news agency Anadolu.
A March 2024 report by the UN Security Council noted that more than 100,000 North Korean citizens work in various fields across approximately 40 countries, transferring the funds earned from these activities to Pyongyang. The income of North Korean IT specialists is estimated at $250–600 million per year.
More Than Just Salaries
To secure jobs, North Korean IT specialists use fake documents and profiles, pose as citizens of other countries, and employ AI during job interviews, notes Anadolu.
Once employed, local intermediaries provide them with addresses, bank accounts, and physical access to corporate laptops. In some cases, entire “laptop farms” are set up, allowing North Koreans to work remotely while concealing their location.
A joint statement by several countries asserts that this goes beyond simply the illegal receipt of wages. Once they gain access to corporate systems, these specialists can engage in data and intellectual property theft, cryptocurrency theft, ransomware installation, and extortion.
According to a report by the South Korean organization PSCORE, published in March 2025, the IT specialists themselves work under harsh conditions and are subject to strict control. Many work more than 10 hours a day, and some of them work at night due to the time difference.
