South Korean authorities have confirmed that the 2019 hack of the cryptocurrency exchange Upbit, which resulted in the theft of approximately $50 million worth of cryptocurrency, was carried out by North Korean hackers. This marks the first time that South Korea has officially attributed a major cryptocurrency theft to North Korea.
The announcement comes after a joint investigation by South Korean and US authorities. The investigation revealed that the hackers used sophisticated techniques to gain access to Upbit’s systems and steal the cryptocurrency. The stolen funds were then laundered through a complex network of cryptocurrency exchanges and darknet markets.
This is not the first time that North Korea has been linked to cryptocurrency theft. In 2018, the US Treasury Department sanctioned North Korean hackers for stealing millions of dollars worth of cryptocurrency from various exchanges around the world.
The South Korean government has condemned North Korea’s actions and vowed to take steps to prevent future attacks. The government is also working with international partners to track down the stolen funds and bring the perpetrators to justice.
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