A former North Korean IT operative has revealed how he and thousands of others were deployed abroad under false identities to secure remote jobs, funneling millions back to Pyongyang.
Speaking under a pseudonym for safety, the defector—referred to here as “Min-ho”—described a sophisticated scheme in which North Korean workers pose as freelancers from other countries to bypass international sanctions. Over several years, Min-ho used fabricated credentials to land multiple remote positions, earning thousands of dollars monthly—most of which was confiscated by the regime.
“Eighty-five percent of our income was taken,” he said. “We knew it was exploitation, but compared to life back home, it still felt like a privilege.”
A Lucrative Underground Operation
According to a recent UN report, North Korea earns an estimated $250 million to $600 million annually through these covert IT operations. The practice surged during the pandemic as remote work became widespread, allowing operatives to blend in more easily.
While most workers focus on legitimate employment, some have engaged in cybercrime—stealing data, hacking companies, or demanding ransoms. Last year, U.S. authorities charged 14 North Koreans with fraudulently obtaining IT jobs and extorting $88 million from American firms.
The Art of Deception
To avoid detection, Min-ho and his colleagues carefully crafted fake identities, often posing as citizens of Western nations. “If you appear Asian, you won’t get hired,” he explained. Instead, they acquired European or American personas, sometimes bribing individuals to lend their credentials.
Recruitment platforms with minimal vetting made the deception easier. Many employers never met their hires face-to-face, relying on digital communication tools where impersonation was simple. Some operatives even used AI filters to disguise their appearances during video calls.
A Risky Escape
Despite the financial benefits, Min-ho grew disillusioned. Living in China under constant surveillance, he and his colleagues were confined to their workspaces, barred from basic freedoms. Exposure to Western media abroad made the contrast with life in North Korea stark.
Yet defection was rare. “Most take the money and return,” he said. The risks were immense—those caught faced severe punishment, and success meant never seeing family again.
Now free, Min-ho works legally in IT, earning less but keeping his full income. “I used to make money illegally,” he said. “Now I earn it honestly.”
The scheme remains a critical revenue stream for North Korea, even as global authorities work to dismantle it. For now, thousands of hidden operatives continue their silent labor, propping up a regime from the shadows of the digital world.
