North Korean IT Workers Accused of Using AI to Conceal Identities During Remote Job Interviews
North Korean IT professionals working remotely for foreign companies are reportedly employing elegant AI-powered tools, including facial-swapping technology, to disguise their identities during video interviews.This practice is believed to be a strategy to circumvent sanctions and earn foreign currency for the isolated regime.
The allegations surfaced following an inquiry by a digital forensics company, Get Real Security, which observed a candidate during a video interview using what appeared to be AI software to alter their facial features. dawid Moczadło,co-founder of Vidoc Security Lab,noted the high likelihood of such technology being used to mask the candidate’s true appearance.
The North Korean embassy in London did not respond to requests for comment regarding these accusations.
Context: A Global Talent Pool with a Hidden Cost
For decades, North Korea has dispatched its citizens abroad to work in various sectors, primarily in China and Russia, to generate much-needed foreign currency.An estimated 100,000 North Koreans are employed internationally as factory workers and in the hospitality industry.
While working abroad, North Korean IT specialists gain access to a wider range of details and media, which can lead to a growing awareness of the disparities between their home country and the outside world. One defector, identified as Jin-su, described the “sense of confinement” experienced during his time working in China, citing strict limitations on personal freedom and movement.
“You see the real world,” Jin-su stated. “When we are abroad, we realize that something is wrong inside North Korea.”
Despite this exposure, Jin-su indicated that the majority of north Korean IT workers do not consider defection, prioritizing the financial benefits of their overseas employment and the potential risks associated with leaving. Defection is fraught with danger, with many individuals apprehended in China. Furthermore, defectors may face severe repercussions, including punishment for their families remaining in north Korea.
Jin-su, who has since defected, continues to work in the IT sector.He credits the skills acquired while working for the North Korean regime with aiding his transition to a new life. Although his current earnings are lower than when he worked multiple jobs under false pretenses for the state, he retains a larger portion of his income, resulting in greater personal financial stability.
“I had got used to making money by doing illegal things,” Jin-su reflected. “But now I work hard and earn the money I deserve.”
