[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Daehyun] It has been revealed that North Korean hackers stole personal information of South Koreans and even provided voice phishing technology, causing astronomical damage.
According to a report by the UN Security Council's Panel of Experts on North Korea Sanctions released on the 7th (local time), North Korean IT workers linked to the North Korean Military Industry Department sold voice phishing hacking applications (apps) and IP addresses.
The report included testimony from one of four South Korean nationals arrested in Tianjin, China, in July 2020 and repatriated to South Korea, stating that "a criminal organization purchased South Koreans' personal information and voice phishing hacking apps from a North Korean IT worker."
This information was largely disclosed when South Korea's National Intelligence Service and police announced the arrest of eight members of a voice phishing criminal organization through joint investigations.
According to investigations by the police and the National Intelligence Service, these individuals bought personal information such as names, resident registration numbers, contact details, and loan statuses obtained by North Korean hackers hacking domestic loan companies to carry out voice phishing.
The group was found to have made victims install a 'spy app' developed by North Korean hackers, through which they monitored the phone information and usage history, impersonated bank or insurance company employees, and induced transfers to their own accounts.
At the time, the police estimated that about 20 billion KRW in damages occurred targeting over 200 people domestically.
Regarding this, the report noted that one member state's authorities estimated the total damage caused by their voice phishing crimes to be approximately 635 million USD (about 900 billion KRW).
The Panel of Experts also reported that analysis of servers used by the voice phishing organization detected unique technical terms used only in North Korea.
Earlier this year, a member state obtained a voice phishing hacking app manual and video clip in which a North Korean, introducing himself as 'Songrim' working at the 'Biryugang Overseas Technology Cooperation Office,' explains how to operate the app.
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