North Korean hackers are attacking financial institutions in a bid to acquire funds , according to a South Korean newspaper backed by the government . North Korean defectors have described an official state - sanctioned force of around 3,000 hackers trained in China and Russia that is targeting virtual currency service providers . The group 's focus has changed from uncovering state secrets and disrupting the social order to acquisition of funds . North Korean agents were responsible for the $ 100 m theft from the Bangladeshi central bank in 2016 .
North Korean hackers are attacking financial institutions in a bid to steal funds, according to a South Korean institute backed by the government. North Korean defectors have described an official state-sponsored force of around 3,000 hackers trained in China and Russia that is targeting virtual currency service providers. The group's focus has changed from uncovering government secrets and disrupting the social order to acquisition of funds. North Korean hackers were responsible for the $81m theft from the Bangladeshi central bank in 2016.