The U.S. Treasury Department has imposed sanctions on individuals and entities involved in a North Korean scheme that exploits foreign workers to generate revenue for the regime. This action is part of ongoing efforts to curb North Korea's ability to fund its nuclear and missile programs through illegal activities.

Jin-su, a North Korean defector, revealed how he and others were sent abroad as secret IT workers to fund the regime, using fake identities to secure remote jobs with Western companies. Despite earning substantial wages, he sent most of his earnings back to North Korea while operating in a shadowy scheme that has raised significant amounts for the regime, particularly during the pandemic. His account highlights the risks and realities faced by North Korean workers abroad, as well as the challenges of defecting.