North Korea is reportedly stealing cryptocurrency to help fund its nuclear weapons program, according to a UN report, and investigations are underway into $3 billion ($4.6 billion) in cyberattacks linked to the country. .
In its annual report, the UN Panel of Experts on the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) said it was investigating 58 cyber attacks allegedly carried out by the country between 2017 and 2023.
The report noted that investigations were underway into 17 cryptocurrency thefts in 2023 alone, valued at more than $750 million.
The report's figures were derived from information from other UN member states, media reports and private companies.
"According to one Member State, the DPRK's malicious cyber activities generate approximately 50 percent of its foreign exchange earnings and are used to finance its weapons programs," the report found.
"[The] DPRK cyber threat actors continued to target the virtual asset industry to evade United Nations sanctions and generate revenue.
"A cyber company called the Democratic People's Republic of Korea the 'world's most prolific cyber thief'."
North Korea has previously issued statements denying hacking allegations.
While the last known nuclear test in North Korea took place in 2017, the report said the country's nuclear facilities still appeared operational and other weapons tests had been conducted.
