North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has ordered the establishment of “Research Center 227” under the military’s Reconnaissance General Bureau to research and develop international cyber hacking technologies.<\/p>\n
A Daily NK source inside North Korea said recently, “In late February, the Supreme Commander issued an order to the RGB under the General Staff Department to enhance overseas information warfare capabilities. This order included instructions to establish Research Center 227 for hacking technology research.”<\/p>\n
According to the source, following this order transmitted through the Operations Bureau to the RGB staff department, efforts to establish the center officially began March 9.<\/p>\n
“This research center is separate from existing institutes under the RGB,” the source emphasized. While RGB headquarters is located in Pyongyang’s Hyongjesan District, Research Center 227 is situated in Mangyongdae District.<\/p>\n
Within the RGB, there’s a widespread belief that the new center was created to enhance foreign intelligence collection. However, the source indicated that the center will focus less on information gathering and more on developing offensive hacking technologies and programs.<\/p>\n
Through Research Center 227, North Korean authorities appear to be planning to neutralize Western countries’ cybersecurity systems while strengthening hacking capabilities aimed at stealing information and assets and disrupting computer networks.<\/p>\n
According to the investigation, the center’s main missions include: researching techniques to neutralize security networks, developing AI-based information theft technologies, hacking financial assets and establishing automated programs for information collection and analysis.<\/p>\n
North Korean authorities plan to operate Research Center 227 around the clock to respond immediately to real-time information from RGB hacking groups deployed overseas, while concentrating resources and personnel on developing sophisticated hacking programs.<\/p>\n
The RGB is currently selecting personnel for Research Center 227, with plans to initially recruit about 90 computer experts who graduated with outstanding results from major universities and doctoral programs.<\/p>\n
“The personnel being selected are all talented individuals who majored in program development, automation systems or information security at central universities, doctoral programs or university research institutes,” the source said.<\/p>\n
“These are not cyber warriors who directly carry out information warfare missions in foreign locations, but internal research staff who develop offensive programs. With the establishment of Research Center 227, the RGB’s cyber operational capabilities will be significantly strengthened in the future,” the source added.<\/p>\n