Treasury Department sanctioned North Korean hackers over cyberattacks of 'critical infrastructure' earlier this week.
The move is another step in the federal government's initiatives to identify the financial trail of cybercrimes, particularly those perpetrated by hostile nations. The fact that these illicit funds were used for North Korea's weapons programs will put further ethical pressure on any organization dealing with breaches or ransomware. A recent
called into question the ethics of paying ransom demands or even having insurance products that cover the costs of the ransom, when the funds may be going into the hands of criminals or, in these cases, North Korea's military.The sanctions come days after President Donald Trump fired national security advisor John Bolton, who was known for taking a more hawkish stance against North Korea than the commander-in-chief.
North Korea, the only nation to have tested nuclear weapons this century, spent most of Trump's first year in office perfecting its nuclear arsenal. While North Korea has paused nuclear tests that prompted Trump's threat to bring "fire and fury" upon that country, it had already made significant progress before the historic dialogue with the U.S. started. The nation has also launched tests of various projectiles in recent months.
Under the third-generation North Korean leader, the reclusive state has conducted its most powerful nuclear test, launched its first-ever intercontinental ballistic missile and threatened to send missiles into the waters near the U.S. territory of Guam.
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