Unveiling North Korea’s IT Workers: The Unseen Force Generating Hundreds of Millions Amid Sanctions

The job search process can be a harrowing experience, with countless hours spent browsing open positions, fine-tuning resumes, and navigating enigmatic recruiters – all before even considering interviews. Intriguingly, some of the world’s most diligent job seekers might just hail from North Korea’s extensive IT workforce initiatives. For several years, the regime led by Kim Jong Un has managed to deploy skilled programmers overseas, where they engage in remote work and remit earnings back to their home nation, which faces heavy sanctions and isolation. The United Nations estimates that annually, these IT workers contribute between $250 million and $600 million to North Korea’s economy.