According to reports, the North Korean government is in the process of establishing a new hacking unit within its intelligence agency, the Reconnaissance General Bureau (RGB).

A recent report by Daily NK, a news outlet specializing in North Korea, revealed that the newly formed unit, known as Research Center 227, will be focused on developing “offensive hacking technologies and programs”. This information was obtained from a source within the regime, as reported last week.

As stated in the report, the primary objectives of Research Center 227 will include researching Western cybersecurity systems and computer networks to enhance the regime’s capabilities for stealing digital assets, as well as developing AI-based techniques for information theft. Additionally, the unit will work to respond to intelligence from North Korean overseas hacking units.

In recent times, North Korean hackers have been linked to several high-profile cyber attacks targeting cryptocurrency exchanges and companies globally, resulting in significant losses, such as the $1.4 billion hack of Bybit.

The U.S. National Security Agency and the FBI have previously accused the North Korean RGB unit of engaging in hacking and espionage activities.