A grand jury in Kansas City indicted North Korean national Rim Jong Hyok for his role in a conspiracy involving ransomware attacks on U.S. hospitals and healthcare providers. The group laundered cryptocurrency proceeds and used the funds for further cyber intrusions into global defense, technology, and government entities. The ransomware attacks disrupted patient care and were part of a broader effort by the hacking group “Andariel,” linked to North Korea’s Reconnaissance General Bureau. The Justice Department, FBI, and international partners have taken actions to disrupt these activities, including seizing $114,000 in cryptocurrency linked to North Korean ransomware and blocking malware. The FBI also seized $500,000 in virtual currency from previous ransomware attacks. Additionally, the State Department announced a $10 million reward for information leading to Rim’s capture. The indictment underscores the commitment to protecting critical infrastructure and holding cyber actors accountable.
