The center is designed to research and develop international cyber hacking technologies, representing a substantial shift in the country’s approach to information warfare. The establishment of Research Center 227 comes amid increasing international concern about North Korean state-sponsored cyber activities targeting financial institutions, critical infrastructure, and defense contractors worldwide. North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has ordered the establishment of a new cyber warfare research center, codenamed “Research Center 227,” under the military’s Reconnaissance General Bureau (RGB). The establishment of Research Center 227 marks a significant milestone in North Korea’s cyber warfare capabilities. Daily NK researchers noted that the center’s primary mission encompasses developing techniques to neutralize security networks, creating AI-based information theft technologies, hacking financial assets, and establishing automated programs for information collection and analysis. As the source noted, “With the establishment of Research Center 227, the RGB’s cyber operational capabilities will be significantly strengthened in the future”. According to sources, the center officially began operations on March 9, 2025, with a dedicated focus on developing sophisticated hacking technologies rather than mere information gathering. This move, confirmed in late February 2025, signals a significant escalation in North Korea’s cyber offensive capabilities on the global stage. The center’s focus on AI-based information theft technologies represents a particularly concerning evolution in cyber warfare tactics. Cyber Security News is a Dedicated News Platform For Cyber News, Cyber Attack News, Hacking News & Vulnerability Analysis. This represents a substantial evolution in North Korea’s cyber strategy from defensive to aggressively offensive capabilities. These personnel are described not as direct cyber warriors but rather as internal research staff dedicated to developing offensive programs. Sources indicate the RGB plans to staff the facility with approximately 90 elite computer specialists recruited from top universities and doctoral programs, focusing on expertise in program development, automation systems, and information security. By investing in AI-powered hacking technologies and recruiting elite technical talent, North Korea appears to be pursuing a more sophisticated and aggressive posture in the digital domain. With years of experience under his belt in Cyber Security, he is covering Cyber Security News, technology and other news. The 24/7 operational status of Research Center 227 further enhances this capability, allowing real-time response to defensive countermeasures deployed by target organizations.
This Cyber News was published on cybersecuritynews.com. Publication date: Mon, 24 Mar 2025 07:00:05 +0000