Rim Jong Hyok (Korean: 림종혁) is a North Korean hacker and a member of the Andariel, a hacker group controlled by the Reconnaissance General Bureau.[1]
Rim Jong Hyok | |
|---|---|
림종혁 | |
 | |
| Born | |
| Organization | Andariel |
| Criminal charges | Conspiracy |
| Criminal status | Fugitive |
Life
editNothing is known about his early life except that he was born in North Korea.[2]
Hacking career
editIn 2021, Hyok funneled money, the money being bitcoin, from ransomware programs that were used against both U.S. and South Korean targets, specifically the attacking of computer and server systems in American hospitals and healthcare institutions and other systems affiliated with United States affiliated organizations like NASA and the Department of Justice, in order to continue funding these operations.[3] The attacks against the health care institutions caused many classified personal documents, including medical records, being locked and possibly stolen. Hospitals were affected in Arkansas, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, and Kansas.[4] He also illegally accessed computers affiliated with the U.S. military, some being on bases, and stole classified documents belonging to the United States.[5] In 2022, he was caught stealing data for classified military aircraft.[6]
In July 2024, Hyok was officially indicted on conspiracy to launder money by a Kansas Grand Jury with Hyok not having an attorney during the indictment. In total, he laundered hundreds of thousands of money to fund operations for North Korean hacker groups.[7] The United States Department of State offered USD$10 million in more information that leads to the arrest of Hyok.[8][9]
References
edit- ^ "Rim Jong Hyok (림종혁)". Rewards for Justice Program. Retrieved 2024-08-26.
- ^ "RIM JONG HYOK". fbi.gov. Retrieved 2024-08-26.
- ^ Barrett, Devlin (2024-07-25). "U.S. charges North Korean man with cyberattacks on NASA". The Washington Post. ISSN 0190-8286. OCLC 2269358. Retrieved 2024-08-26.
- ^ Lyngaas, Sean (2024-07-25). "US indicts North Korean hacker accused of helping extort US hospitals". CNN. Retrieved 2024-08-26.
- ^ "North Korean hackers stealing military secrets, U.S. and allies say". NBC News. 2024-07-26. Retrieved 2024-08-26.
- ^ Hye-in, Kim (2024-07-27). ""현상금 138억원" 북한사는 '림종혁'이 누구길래?" [“13.8 billion won bounty” Who is North Korea’s ‘Lim Jong-hyuk’?]. The Chosun Ilbo (in Korean). Retrieved 2024-08-27.
- ^ "North Korean charged in ransomware attacks on US hospitals". Voice of America. 2024-07-25. Retrieved 2024-08-26.
- ^ Willemyns, Alex; Lee, Sangmin (2024-07-25). "US offers $10M reward for info on North Korean hacker". Radio Free Asia. Retrieved 2024-08-26.
- ^ Maresca, Thomas (2024-07-26). "U.S. indicts, offers $10 million reward for North Korean hacker". United Press International. Retrieved 2024-08-26.