US sanctions North Korean cyber operative over global IT worker scheme

WASHINGTON

The US sanctioned a North Korean cyber operative Tuesday accused of running a fraudulent information technology (IT) worker scheme that supports Pyongyang’s weapons programs, according to the State Department.

Song Kum Hyok, affiliated with the US-designated hacking group Andariel, was sanctioned for his alleged role in "malicious cyber activities,” including an attempted hack of the US Treasury Department, it said.

Washington also sanctioned Russia-based facilitator Gayk Asatryan and four entities—two in Russia and two in North Korea—accused of deploying IT workers abroad to generate revenue for the North Korean government, it added.

"Today’s sanctions are part of the U.S. government’s efforts to combat North Korean cyber espionage and revenue generation," the statement said.

The sanctions came after a person impersonating US Secretary of State Marco Rubio reportedly used artificial intelligence to send voice and text messages to senior political figures.

“The State Department is aware of this incident and is currently monitoring and addressing the matter,” State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce told reporters during a daily press briefing. “The department takes seriously its responsibility to safeguard its information and continuously take steps to improve the department’s cybersecurity posture to prevent future incidents.”

She declined to provide further details for security reasons.