Amazon has blocked more than 1,800 North Korean applicants from joining the company amid concerns that Pyongyang is sending large numbers of IT workers abroad to earn and launder funds. According to Amazon’s chief security officer, Stephen Schmidt, these workers have been seeking remote IT positions with firms worldwide, especially in the United States. Over the past year, applications from North Koreans have risen by nearly one‑third.
Schmidt explained that the North Koreans typically use “laptop farms”—computers located in the U.S. that are operated remotely from outside the country. He warned that the problem is not unique to Amazon and is likely occurring at scale across the industry. Tell‑tale signs of North Korean workers include incorrectly formatted phone numbers and dubious academic credentials.
The issue is part of a broader pattern of North Korean cyber activity. In July, a woman in Arizona was sentenced to more than eight years in prison for running a laptop farm that helped North Korean IT workers secure remote jobs at over 300 U.S. companies, generating more than $17 million in revenue. Seoul’s intelligence agency has also warned that North Korean operatives have used LinkedIn to pose as recruiters and approach South Koreans employed by defense firms in order to obtain technology information.
Analysts say North Korea’s cyber‑warfare program, which dates back to the mid‑1990s, is aimed at stealing financial assets. The program has grown into a 6,000‑strong cyber unit known as Bureau 121, operating from several countries. The United States has announced sanctions on eight individuals accused of being “state‑sponsored hackers” whose illicit operations were conducted to fund the regime’s nuclear weapons program by stealing and laundering money. The U.S. Department of the Treasury has accused North Korea‑affiliated cybercriminals of stealing over $3 billion in the past three years, primarily in cryptocurrency.
The blocking of North Korean applicants by Amazon highlights the need for companies to be vigilant in their hiring processes and to implement robust security measures to prevent cyber threats. As the threat of cyber attacks continues to evolve, it is essential for businesses to stay informed and take proactive steps to protect themselves and their assets.
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