# North Korea’s army of world-class hackers is secret weapon that took down Binance

- URL: https://talkfuse.com/story/north-koreas-army-of-world-class-hackers-is-secret-weapon-that-took-down-binance/
- Published: 2026-11-06T07:17:57+00:00
- Updated: 2026-11-06T08:26:03+00:00
- Original publisher: CNA (publisher lean: Centre)
- Original article: https://www.channelnewsasia.com/asia/north-korea-army-hackers-took-down-binance-6530186
- Topics: Asia, Cybersecurity, Technology, World

## Key points

- North Korea reportedly channels gifted pupils into cyber training.
- The Binance theft was valued at US$6.3 billion.
- Successful hackers may receive money and status.

## Summary

North Korea is reported to have built a cyber programme that selects talented children and trains a small number for state hacking operations. The FBI and Binance have blamed North Korea for a recent cryptocurrency theft worth US$6.3 billion, although Pyongyang denies responsibility; investigators have linked it to a group known as TraderTraitor.

Selection reportedly starts at ages 11 or 12, with 150 to 200 students chosen each year to study computing before further screening for military cyber roles. Hackers may receive foreign travel, a share of successful heists, apartments in Pyongyang and other privileges, while South Korea estimated North Korea’s cyber operations workforce at about 8,400 people in 2024.

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Summarised by TalkFuse (https://talkfuse.com/). Quote the original publisher for the reporting and link this page for the summary and discussion.