Group of Seven leaders are preparing to discuss North Korea’s growing role in cybercrime and crypto theft when they meet in Alberta next month. The talks will aim to find ways to curb the regime’s hacking operations and protect digital finance systems, Bloomberg reported.
Geopolitical Tensions Shape the Discussion
Rising friction between the United States and its G7 partners over trade and global security will frame the debate on North Korea’s attacks.
Sources familiar with the summit’s planning say that leaders want to confront how these illicit operations fund Pyongyang’s weapons programs and challenge international sanctions.
Deepening North Korea–Russia Ties
Concerns about North Korea’s cyber forces come as the country tightens its bond with Russia. Officials recently admitted that North Korean troops are fighting alongside Russian forces near the Kursk border.
At the same time, Pyongyang has supplied Moscow with weapons for its war in Ukraine. This closer relationship adds urgency to the G7 discussions on digital threats.
North Korea made headlines in 2014 when its hackers struck Sony Pictures Entertainment. Since then, the regime has built a vast network of skilled cyber operatives.
They infect systems with malicious code, hold data for ransom, and steal massive amounts of cryptocurrency from exchanges and blockchain projects.
Also Read: North Korean Hackers Posed As Remote Employees To Exploit UK Blockchain Project
Record‑Breaking Crypto Thefts
Last year alone saw 47 incidents of North Korea‑linked hacks, netting $1.34 billion in stolen digital assets. That marks a big jump from $661 million stolen across 20 incidents the year before.
Earlier this year, hackers tied to the regime made off with $1.5 billion from the Bybit exchange in a single operation. These funds help North Korea work around sanctions and bankroll its military programs.
Abroad IT Workers and Hidden Operations
Another concern is how the regime uses IT professionals working overseas under fake identities. These individuals take jobs in tech and send their earnings back home.
Crypto exchange Kraken recently revealed that a would‑be engineer tied to North Korean hackers tried to join the company under multiple aliases. Such schemes deepen the regime’s reach into global finance and tech sectors.
Sophisticated Tactics Cause Major Losses
North Korea’s cyber units have become notorious for complex attacks on decentralised finance platforms. Axie Infinity lost $622 million, and WazirX suffered a $230 million theft in high‑profile breaches. These incidents expose weak spots in digital protocols and highlight how skilled the attackers have become.
Balancing Summit Priorities
While discussions on North Korea’s cyber crimes are planned, the summit will also address the wars in Ukraine and the Middle East.
The trade dispute between the US and other G7 nations is set to dominate the agenda. Experts say final topics may shift as leaders fine‑tune their priorities in mid‑June.
As the G7 prepares to meet, leaders face the challenge of limiting North Korea’s online crimes without derailing talks on major global conflicts and trade issues.
The summit in Alberta will test the group’s ability to unite on cybersecurity and protect the world’s digital economy.
Also Read: North Korean Hacker Group Lazarus Exploits US Shell Companies to Hire and Defraud Crypto Developers