S haschargedthreeNorthKoreancomputerprogrammerswith a massivehackingspreeaimedatstealingmorethan $1.3 billioninmoneyincryptocurrencyaffectingcompaniesfrombanks.
WhilethecybersecuritycommunityrecognizesthesetwoasdifferentNorthKoreangroups, thecriminalinvestigationhasrevealedthatthesegroupswerepartof a singleconspiracythatworkedundertheNorthKoreanmilitarytodestroycomputersystemsandtostealmoneyandinformationallforrevengeandtofinancethecriminalregime, theJusticeDepartmentsaid.
Thehackerswereresponsiblefor a widerangeofcriminalactivityinhighprofileintrusions, including a retaliatory 2014 attackonSonyPicturesEntertainmentforproducingtheinterview, a moviewhichdepictedtheassassinationofNorthKorea's leader.