North Korea trains young recruits for lucrative state-backed cyber operations
North Korea has built a state-backed cyber operation that selects technically gifted young people and trains some of them for hacking and cyber warfare. The article says this programme helps the heavily sanctioned country generate foreign currency, and has renewed attention after analysts linked North Korean actors to an alleged $6.3 billion Binance hack.
Chainalysis estimates North Korean hackers stole about $2 billion in 2025, around 60 per cent of the global total and 51 per cent more than the previous year. South Korea’s National Intelligence Service estimates roughly 8,400 people are involved in North Korean cyber operations, including support staff; selected students may receive three to five years of advanced training, with some elite operatives also trained in China and Russia.
In short
- North Korea trains young technical talent for state cyber operations.
- Its hackers allegedly targeted Binance in a $6.3 billion breach.
- Chainalysis estimates they stole $2 billion in 2025.
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The case for
Supporters of the programme may argue that, under severe sanctions and international isolation, developing cyber skills offers North Korea a way to earn revenue and build technical expertise without relying on conventional military strength. They may also frame cyber operations as a means of protecting the state against hostile digital threats and advancing its strategic interests.
The case against
Critics may argue that state-backed hacking to steal funds is criminal conduct that harms businesses, customers and public trust in digital finance, while helping the government evade sanctions. They may also warn that training young people for offensive cyber operations increases the risk of wider disruption and makes international tensions harder to contain.
Explained simply
North Korea is a heavily sanctioned country, so it has limited access to international trade and finance. Cyber operations can provide a way to earn money abroad as well as to gather information or disrupt computer systems.
The programme described selects young people with strong technical skills and gives some years of advanced training. South Korea’s National Intelligence Service estimates that about 8,400 people work in North Korea’s cyber operations, including support staff; some elite operatives are also trained overseas.
These operations matter because stolen funds can help the North Korean state obtain foreign currency despite sanctions. Governments, banks and cryptocurrency firms are among those affected, while investigators may find it difficult to trace who carried out an attack or recover the money.
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Originally published by Daily Mail as “How Kim Jong Un has built the world’s most feared team of hackers – with skilled youngsters identified early and trained to become elite cyber thieves”.