South Korean Man Indicted for Running Gambling Sites with North Korean Hackers

A South Korean national is facing criminal charges for allegedly operating illegal online gambling platforms with technical support from North Korean hackers, according to Korea JoongAng Daily.

Prosecutors say the 50-year-old defendant, identified only by his surname Kim, ran a network of 16 unlicensed gambling websites that targeted South Korean users. The platforms were reportedly developed and maintained by North Korean hackers tied to the regime’s Munitions Industry Department — an entity connected to the country’s military cyber operations.

Over the course of the scheme, Kim is believed to have generated more than $17.2 million in revenue. Roughly one-third of that amount was funneled to North Korean collaborators via cryptocurrency wallets, with communication reportedly conducted through Telegram.

Authorities claim Kim first established contact with the hackers while living in China, where he spent most of his time. Despite his overseas residence, South Korea’s National Intelligence Service was ultimately able to identify and track him down.

Kim was arrested in November 2023 upon re-entering South Korea. In May of this year, Seoul prosecutors officially charged him with several crimes, the most serious being a violation of the country’s National Security Act.

While South Korea allows limited forms of gambling, including lotteries and betting on horse races and motor sports, illegal gambling operations are punishable by up to five years in prison. Repeat offenders can face additional prison time — up to three years — even for participating in unlawful games.