Today, the U.S. Department of State and the Federal Bureau of Investigation, in coordination with companions from the Republic of Korea Ministry of Foreign Affairs, National Police Agency, and National Intelligence Service are releasing a joint public service announcement (PSA)  with up to date steering on purple flag indicators and due diligence measures to assist firms keep away from hiring Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) data know-how (IT) employees posing as non-DPRK nationals. The PSA updates steering within the DPRK IT Worker Advisories launched in 2022 by the United States and the Republic of Korea in May and December, respectively.

Today’s announcement of FBI and DOJ motion in opposition to DPRK IT employees reinforces the significance of tackling this problem. DPRK IT employees proceed to reap the benefits of demand for particular IT expertise akin to software program and cell utility growth whereas fraudulently acquiring employment contracts world wide, together with within the United States. This motion results in firms unwittingly hiring DPRK IT employees.

Hiring or supporting DPRK IT employees – knowingly or unknowingly – poses many dangers, starting from theft of mental property, knowledge, and funds, to reputational hurt and authorized penalties, together with underneath U.S., ROK, and UN sanctions. Illicit DPRK revenue-generating actions assist the regime’s priorities like growth of its illegal weapons of mass destruction (WMD) and ballistic missile packages, which threaten worldwide peace and safety and violate a number of UN Security Council resolutions.

The United States  and Republic of Korea  advisories on DPRK IT employees provide steering and data to assist governments and personal sector decrease threat.