text:  they've moved up in the world since then. The U.S. government says there's thousands of these remote IT workers. But it's hard to guess the real number, says Barnhart. Picture this. Groups of 10 or more North Korean workers stuffed into tiny group houses. They're working extremely long hours, each applying for and doing multiple jobs at once. And they're sending practically all their money back to the regime, else their family be put in danger. But from the employer's side, they seem like qualified, eager candidates.