U.S. sanctions North Korean cyber operative over global IT scheme

The U.S. has imposed sanctions on a North Korean cyber operative accused of running an illicit global IT worker network that funds Pyongyang’s weapons programmes, according to the State Department on Tuesday.

Song Kum Hyok, linked to the U.S.-designated Andariel hacking group, was targeted for his alleged role in malicious cyber activities, including an attempted breach of the U.S. Treasury Department.

Washington also sanctioned Russia-based facilitator Gayk Asatryan and four entities — two in Russia and two in North Korea — for deploying overseas IT workers to secretly raise funds for the North Korean government.

“These sanctions are part of the U.S. government’s efforts to combat North Korean cyber espionage and revenue generation,” the department said.

The announcement follows reports that an individual impersonating Secretary of State Marco Rubio used artificial intelligence to send voice and text messages to senior political figures.

State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce confirmed the incident is under investigation.

“The department takes seriously its responsibility to safeguard its information,” she said, declining to provide further details for security reasons.

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