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 . US$81 million (S$110 million) cyber heist at the Bangladesh central bank 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 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 .