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[INTERNATIONAL] · Australia, North Korea, China, Russia, Laos · 4 sources

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Australia sanctions North Korean IT worker networks

North Korea Australia sanctions IT worker schemes cybersecurity weapons programs

Australia has imposed targeted financial sanctions and travel bans on two North Korean individuals, Yu Pu Ung and Sim Hyon Sop, and two companies, Korea Mangyongdae Computer Technology Company and Chinyong Information Technology Cooperation Company. These entities are accused of facilitating schemes that place North Korean IT workers in remote jobs abroad to illicitly generate foreign currency for the regime’s nuclear and ballistic missile programs.

The Australian Sanctions Office warned that these workers often use stolen or doctored Australian passports and driver’s licenses to secure remote contracts. The sanctioned entities were previously designated by the United States Treasury. Korea Mangyongdae reportedly operates delegations from Shenyang and Dandong, China, while Chinyong manages IT worker teams in Russia and Laos.

Yu Pu Ung is identified as a China-based representative of Tanchon Bank, allegedly using funds from IT worker groups to supply materials to munitions makers. Sim Hyon Sop, a deputy representative of Korea Kwangson Banking Corp, is subject to a $7 million US reward for information offered by the US State Department. Individuals breaching these sanctions face up to 10 years in prison and fines of $910,000, while companies face fines up to $3.64 million.

Entities

Australia · Korea Mangyongdae Computer Technology Company · North Korea · Sim Hyon Sop · Yu Pu Ung

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

  • [● 2 SOURCES] The four sanctioned parties were already under United States Treasury sanctions. cybernoz.com · www.itnews.com.au
  • [● 2 SOURCES] North Korean IT workers use stolen or doctored Australian driver’s licenses and passports to win remote contracts. cybernoz.com · www.itnews.com.au
  • [● 3 SOURCES] Korea Mangyongdae Computer Technology Company and Chinyong Information Technology Cooperation Company were sanctioned. cybernoz.com · www.itnews.com.au
  • [● 3 SOURCES] Australia imposed financial sanctions and travel bans on Yu Pu Ung and Sim Hyon Sop. cybernoz.com · www.itnews.com.au
  • [○ 1 SOURCE] The sanctioned entities facilitate revenue generation for North Korea’s nuclear and ballistic missile programs.
  • [● 2 SOURCES] Breaching these sanctions can result in up to 10 years of imprisonment for individuals. cybernoz.com · www.itnews.com.au
  • [● 2 SOURCES] Yu Pu Ung is a China-based representative of North Korea’s Tanchon Bank. cybernoz.com · www.itnews.com.au
  • [● 2 SOURCES] The US State Department has offered a $7 million reward for information on Sim Hyon Sop. cybernoz.com · www.itnews.com.au

Sources

Australia sanctions North Korean IT worker bosses and financiers [cybernoz.com]
Australia sanctions North Koreans over 'fraudulent' IT work, cybercrime | #cybercrime | #infosec - National Cyber Security Consulting [nationalcybersecurity.com]
Australia sanctions North Koreans over 'fraudulent' IT work, cybercrime [www.enca.com]
Australia sanctions North Korean IT worker bosses and financiers [www.itnews.com.au]