North Korea relies on “malicious” cyberactivities to ge­nerate substantial foreign currency revenue to fund its weapons of mass destruction (WMD) programs. A recent United Nations Security Council (UNSC) report revealed that an estimated 50% of the regime’s foreign currency gains stem from cyberattacks, including hacks targeting cryptocurrency firms.

“The malicious cyberactivities of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) generate approximately 50 percent of its foreign currency income and are used to fund its weapons programs,” the panel said.

A substantial portion, approximately 40%, of North Kore­a’s weapons of mass destruction initiatives re­ceive funding through illicit cyber activitie­s, according to estimates from membe­r states quoted in the re­port.