Australia has imposed sanctions against North Korean hackers from the Lazarus Group

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• Australia has imposed sweeping sanctions against North Korean hacking groups, including the Lazarus Group, Kimsuky, Andariel, and Chosun Expo.
• These organizations are accused of stealing more than $1,23 billion in cryptocurrency and financing North Korea’s nuclear programs.

Australia has imposed sweeping sanctions against North Korean cybercriminal groups, including the notorious Lazarus Group. These organizations are accused of stealing more than 1,9 billion Australian dollars (approximately $1,23 billion) in cryptocurrency from companies around the world in 2024.

Australian Minister for Foreign Affairs Penny Wong said the sanctions are aimed at curbing North Korea’s covert weapons of mass destruction programs, which are funded by digital theft and illegal cryptocurrency transactions.

The official statement notes that the DPRK’s involvement in cyberattacks, cryptocurrency theft, IT fraud, and espionage is a cause for serious concern.

Australia’s decision followed Pyongyang’s warning that similar sanctions by the US could provoke the “anger” of the North Korean leader.

Four groups linked to North Korea’s Reconnaissance General Bureau were added to Australia’s sanctions list: Lazarus Group, Kimsuky, Andariel, and Chosun Expo, as well as hacker Park Jin-hyok from Chosun Expo. He is already under US and South Korean sanctions.

According to the Australian Foreign Ministry, in 2024, North Korean hackers stole at least 1,9 billion Australian dollars worth of cryptocurrency from companies around the world. They used an international network of DPRK citizens to launder the funds.

According to a report by the Multilateral Sanctions Monitoring Team, the volume of stolen assets in 2024 increased by 50% compared to the previous year. From January to September 2025, North Korea has already stolen about $1,65 billion worth of cryptocurrency — more than in the whole of 2024.

Minister Penny Wong stressed that North Korea remains a serious threat to regional security. She noted:

“So we are always looking at ways to do more with other partners to put pressure on the regime, and starving them of funds is obviously a very important part of that.”

In September, the US, through the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), imposed sanctions on networks organizing cryptocurrency investment schemes in Myanmar and Cambodia.