US Treasury sanctions North Korean cyber actor and Russian IT network

Published 08/07/2025, 19:06
US Treasury sanctions North Korean cyber actor and Russian IT network

Investing.com -- The U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) imposed sanctions Tuesday on a North Korean cyber actor and a Russia-based IT worker network for generating revenue for North Korea’s weapons programs.

The Treasury designated Song Kum Hyok, a malicious cyber actor linked to North Korea’s Reconnaissance General Bureau hacking group Andariel. Song facilitated a scheme recruiting individuals, often North Korean nationals working from countries like China and Russia, who used falsified identities to obtain employment at unwitting companies.

"Today’s action underscores the importance of vigilance on the DPRK’s continued efforts to clandestinely fund its WMD and ballistic missile programs," said Deputy Secretary of the Treasury Michael Faulkender.

The sanctions also target Russian national Gayk Asatryan and four entities involved in employing North Korean IT workers. Asatryan signed a 10-year contract with Korea Songkwang Trading General Corporation to bring up to 30 North Korean IT workers to Russia for his company, Asatryan Limited Liability Company. He also contracted with Korea Saenal Trading Corporation to dispatch 50 North Korean IT workers to his other company, Fortuna Limited Liability Company.

North Korea maintains thousands of highly skilled IT workers globally who generate significant revenue for the country’s weapons programs. These workers deliberately hide their identities using false personas, proxy accounts, stolen identities, and forged documentation to apply for jobs at companies in wealthy countries.

As a result of these sanctions, all property and interests of the designated persons in the United States or in possession of U.S. persons are blocked and must be reported to OFAC. Entities owned 50 percent or more by blocked persons are also blocked.

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