The U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) has sanctioned three North Korean nationals and a company for supporting fraudulent IT worker schemes that generated illicit revenue for the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) government. Korea Sobaeksu Trading Company – A North Korea-based front company for the Munitions Industry Department that sends IT workers overseas and procures materials for DPRK’s nuclear and missile programs. The sanctioned company is named Korea Sobaeksu Trading Company, and the three North Korean individuals are Kim Se Un, Jo Kyong Hun, and Myong Chol Min. Kim Se Un – A Sobaeksu representative who ran subordinate companies, recruited North Korean IT workers abroad (e.g., in Vietnam), and supported revenue generation efforts. Myong Chol Min – A trade representative who helped Sobaeksu evade sanctions and attempted to import goods like tobacco to generate revenue for the regime. North Korea’s IT worker schemes involve placing skilled tech workers in American companies using fake or stolen identities to get the job. Sanctions are not the only means to disrupt DPRK's efforts as the U.S. Department of State has announced rewards of up to $7 million for information leading to the arrest/conviction of the sanctioned individuals.
This Cyber News was published on www.bleepingcomputer.com. Publication date: Fri, 25 Jul 2025 12:45:14 +0000