Revealing the Shadowy World of North Korean IT Workers Abroad

Jin-su, a defector from North Korea, shares his experiences working as an IT professional under an elaborate ruse that helps funnel billions of dollars back to the regime, highlighting the grim reality faced by those trapped in this hidden workforce.

In a rare interview, Jin-su, a defector from North Korea, has shed light on the clandestine operations of IT workers sent abroad by the regime to raise funds through deceit. Using hundreds of fake identities, Jin-su worked remotely for Western companies, amassing substantial earnings that ultimately supported the Kim regime. While he earned up to $5,000 a month, he revealed that 85% of his income was sent back home, even as he and his colleagues acknowledged the ethical dilemma of their involvement, saying, "We know it's like robbery, but we just accept it as our fate."

His account confirms findings from a recent UN Security Council report indicating that the regime benefits between $250 million and $600 million annually from these operations. The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated this scheme, as remote work became the norm globally. While many workers aim to provide financial support to the impoverished state, others engage in more nefarious activities, including corporate hacking.

Most North Korean IT workers operate in teams, often disguising their identity to bypass international sanctions aimed at the country, primarily due to its nuclear ambitions. Jin-su explained how he often pretended to be a Chinese citizen, securing identities from people in various countries to bolster his applications for jobs in the United States and Europe. Given the limited internet accessibility in North Korea, working abroad afforded him some freedoms from the oppressive conditions he endured back home.

Interviews with hiring managers reveal a growing issue of North Korean candidates slipping through the cracks during recruitment processes. In one instance, a hiring manager noted the unusual circumstances regarding candidates claiming to be based in the U.S. without ever showing daylight during video calls. The rise of advanced AI technologies has enhanced this disguise, prompting questions about the integrity of remote hiring practices.

Despite their challenging conditions abroad, only a small number of North Korean IT workers consider defection, opting instead to continue funneling funds back home in exchange for a better life overseas. Jin-su managed to escape and now enjoys a life free from the confines of his previous work, although he acknowledges he earns less than he did under the regime.

North Korea has long employed tens of thousands of workers overseas to generate foreign currency, primarily in sectors like factory work and hospitality. Although many workers possess greater exposure to the outside world while abroad, the fear of retribution against their families back home often keeps them from taking the perilous step towards defection. For Jin-su, however, his escape has been a new beginning and a chance to earn money on his own terms, saying, "I had got used to making money by doing illegal things. But now I work hard and earn the money I deserve."