The production company behind the popular Amazon Prime animation series “Invincible” is conducting an internal review after allegations emerged that one of the show’s sketches was found on a cloud server connected to a North Korean Internet Protocol (IP) address.

In a statement posted on social media, Skybound Entertainment said it does not work “with North Korean companies, or any affiliated entities, and have no knowledge of any North Korean companies working on our animation.”

“Our policies strictly prohibit any subcontracting to any third party without our express prior written consent, which, in this case, was neither sought nor granted,” the production company continued.

The company’s remarks are likely in response to a 38 North article published on Monday outlining the contents found on a cloud storage server with a North Korean IP address.

38 North discovered not only sketches of Invincible but also of several Japanese animes and an upcoming HBO Max series.

The U.S. has designated DPRK animation studios, which are known to export their work, as part of its sanctions program against Pyongyang’s weapons of mass destruction (WMD) program. 

In 2021, The U.S. Treasury designated the DPRK’s April 26 Animation Studio (also known as the Scientific Education Korea Studio), prohibiting all U.S.-dollar transactions with it. 

A year later, the U.S. Treasury designated seven companies based in China, Singapore, Hong Kong and Russia for doing business with the firm. 

The sanctions on the Russian firm came after an NK Pro investigation revealed that a North Korean animation studio helped animate scenes for its film “Space Dogs: Tropical Adventure.” 

Martyn Williams, the author of the 38 North article, told NK News the files suggest the U.S. producer of Invincible likely outsourced some of its animation to Chinese companies, which in turn tasked North Korean animators with at least part of the work.

“There is no evidence to suggest any U.S.-based company directly contracted with the North Korean entity,” he said.

Williams added the North Korean animators were likely Pyongyang-based. “If everyone were in China, a North Korean server would not be needed. Any server on the open Internet would be much less likely to draw attention.”

“They are either working with a Chinese animation studio or through a North Korean front company in China. We believe it’s the latter, based on knowledge of how these IT workers usually work.”

The U.N. committee in charge of executing Security Council sanctions on North Korea has not designated North Korean animation studios, but it agreed in 2017 to prohibit all non-approved money transfers to DPRK entities deemed to contribute to the regime’s nuclear or ballistic missile programs, laying the groundwork for designating other state-run studios doing global business like Mansudae Art Studio. 

Skybound Entertainment did not immediately respond to NK News‘ questions about its internal review of the allegations. 

But in its statement the firm said it “takes these allegations seriously and has initiated a thorough internal review to verify and rectify any potential issues. We have also notified the proper authorities and are cooperating with all appropriate bodies.”

Michael Barnhart, who leads cyber firm Mandiant’s DPRK threat team, told NK News that the case shows North Korean IT workers can also work with more harmful actors, like cybercriminals. 

“Mandiant continues to find more connections between these workers and North Korean hackers. Once hired, these workers can bridge these hackers into the corporate environment, while simultaneously diverting their paychecks to fund North Korea’s weapons program. The regime has had success with unconventional schemes like this to generate revenue.”

“These IT workers fund the country’s weapons program, can enable other cyber operators, and provide placement and access for North Korea in many of the world’s most important organizations, making it one of the greatest immediate threats from North Korea,” Barnhart continued.

The U.S. has previously warned against inadvertently hiring North Korean IT workers, including animators, when outsourcing projects to overseas companies. 

“Invincible” is an animated series based on the comic books of the same name. Comedian Seth Rogen is among its executive producers, and Hollywood stars Steven Yeun, Sandra Oh, and J. K. Simmons voice some of the characters in the series. 

Edited by Alannah Hill 

Updated at 6:50 p.m. KST on April 23, 2024 with additional expert comment.