Leaders of the G7 countries plan to address issues related to cyber threats and hacks of crypto projects perpetrated by North Korea at the summit in Canada in June 2025. This initiative underscores the growing concern of the global community regarding Pyongyang’s use of stolen funds to finance its military programs.
This is reported by Бізнес • Медіа
As noted by Bloomberg, while the agenda for the meeting in Alberta has not yet been finalized, discussions are likely to also touch upon the war in Ukraine and the situation in the Middle East. The G7 countries will consider the trade disputes between the U.S. and other members of the group. Cyberattacks from North Korea will be included in the overall discussion on threats to international security.
Increase in Hacker Attacks from North Korea
In recent years, North Korea has established a powerful hacking network capable of striking global companies. An example of this is one of the largest hacks in the history of the cryptocurrency industry, amounting to $1.46 billion, which targeted the exchange Bybit. According to Chainalysis, in 2024, hackers from North Korea stole over $1.34 billion in cryptocurrency, nearly double the figures from 2023.
Incidents related to hacks and attacks on other companies have once again drawn the attention of world leaders to the issue. North Korea not only conducts direct hacks but also employs complex schemes, involving IT specialists abroad. According to the U.S. Department of Justice, thousands of North Korean workers operate in Western companies under false identities to legally earn and transfer money to the regime, avoiding sanctions.
Funding Military Programs through Cybercrime
These specialists, by creating fake accounts and using proxy infrastructure, earn hundreds of millions of dollars each year, raising concerns among world leaders. It is known that the funds earned are directed towards financing the North Korean Ministry of Defense and programs for the development of weapons of mass destruction.
It is worth noting that Google has stated that hackers from North Korea have targeted companies in Europe.