North Korea is forming a new hacking group within its intelligence agency. The new unit, known as Research Center 227, will focus on developing "offensive hacking technologies and programs," TechCrunch reports, citing Daily NK.
According to the source, Research Center 227 will study Western cybersecurity systems and computer networks, expanding the regime's capabilities to steal digital assets. It will also work on developing artificial intelligence-based methods to steal information and coordinate with other North Korean hacking groups abroad.
North Korean hackers have been actively attacking cryptocurrency exchanges and companies around the world in recent times. One of the largest thefts was the recent hack of the Bybit exchange worth $1.4 billion. Previously, the FBI and the US National Security Agency have repeatedly accused North Korean intelligence agencies of cyberattacks and espionage.
By the way, thanks to cyber fraud, North Korea has become the third largest owner of Bitcoin in the world.