The European Union has announced new sanctions against entities aiding Russia’s war against Ukraine, including an individual who serves as a leader of North Korean hackers.
A majority of the sanctioned entities are Russian companies and nationals, but there are also a handful of Chinese and North Korean nationals.
One of the North Koreans targeted by the EU’s sanctions is Lee Chang Ho, lieutenant general in North Korea’s Army, and head of North Korea’s Reconnaissance General Bureau, an intelligence agency known to house hacker units specializing in cyberespionage and financial crime.
The EU motivated the decision to sanction Lee Chang Ho by saying that he coordinated North Korean soldiers deployed on the battlefield in Ukraine, and he led cyberattack units such as Lazarus and Kimsuky.
“Therefore, Lee Chang Ho is responsible for supporting and implementing actions which undermine the independence of Ukraine,” the EU said.
The US designated Lee Chang Ho in December 2024 as part of sanctions targeting key facilitators of North Korea’s illicit financial activities and military support to Russia.
Recent US sanctions also targeted entities supporting North Korea’s fake IT worker scheme.
North Korean hackers, specifically the Lazarus group, are believed to be behind the $1.5 billion Bybit cryptocurrency heist that came to light over the weekend.
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