While reconnected hotlines, missed calls and military drills are dominating inter-Korean diplomacy, it’s easy to miss a major but rarely discussed roadblock to any future negotiations with North Korea: hacking. 

Within only a few years, cyber theft has become a crucial pillar of the DPRK’s malfunctioning economy. North Korean hackers have likely stolen billions of dollars in cryptocurrencies and cash, with nearly $2 billion snatched up by a single group of cybercriminals. 

According to the U.S. Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), North Korea has targeted more than 30 countries with cyber campaigns aiming