The "Kim Jong-Un Test": Are Crypto Developers Screening for North Korean Spies?
The cryptocurrency world is no stranger to hacks and exploits, but a recent surge in attacks attributed to North Korea-linked operatives has prompted a surprising response from some builders: a direct, and somewhat unconventional, screening process during developer interviews. Amidst escalating concerns about nation-state actors infiltrating the industry, a “Kim Jong-Un test” is gaining traction as a surprisingly effective filter. This article delves into the origins of this practice, the evidence supporting its use, the implications for the crypto market, and what it means for the future of security in the decentralized space. We’ll explore how geopolitical risks are becoming increasingly intertwined with the technical foundations of blockchain technology, and why robust vetting processes are no longer optional, but essential.
The Rising Threat of North Korean Hackers in Crypto
For years, North Korea has been accused of using cyberattacks to fund its regime, and cryptocurrency has become an increasingly attractive target. The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) is believed to be responsible for a significant number of high-profile crypto heists, including the recent $285 million attack on Drift Protocol attributed to the UNC4736 hacking group. This attack, detailed in a recent article on Bitcoinist, highlights the sophistication and persistence of these state-sponsored actors. The methods employed include long-term social engineering, the creation of fake professional personas, in-person conference meetings, and the compromise of development tooling.
The "Kim Jong-Un Test" – A Surprisingly Effective Filter
In response to this escalating threat, some crypto companies are implementing a rather unorthodox interview tactic: asking candidates to explicitly insult Kim Jong-Un, the leader of North Korea. The rationale is simple – individuals originating from North Korea are unlikely to comply with such a request due to deeply ingrained cultural and political conditioning. Tanuki42, an independent blockchain security investigator, shared a video on X (formerly Twitter) showcasing this test in action. The video depicts a candidate, identified as “Taro Aikuchi,” visibly struggling and becoming nervous when asked to utter the phrase “Kim Jong-Un is a fat, ugly pig.”
Evidence from the Crypto Community
Tanuki42’s post sparked a wider conversation within the crypto community. Further videos revealed that “Taro” claimed to “know North Korea well” but experienced “convenient” connection issues when asked to say “Fuck Kim Jong-Un.” After the interview, the candidate reportedly changed his Telegram handle, deleted their chat history, and blocked Tanuki42. His X account and LinkedIn profile also disappeared. This behavior further fueled suspicions.
Crypto investor and fund manager Jason Choi echoed these findings, stating that several crypto founders have confirmed the effectiveness of the test. Pav, an RWA-focused builder, revealed he’s been using the tactic since 2024 after discovering a DPRK agent applying for an engineering position in 2022. Simon Wijckmans, a cybersecurity founder, also shared a clip of his own interview where a candidate failed to comply with the request to call Kim Jong-Un a dictator.
Skepticism and Ongoing Debate
Despite the mounting evidence, some remain skeptical. Paolo Caversaccio, a cryptography engineer, attempted to use the test and engaged in a debate with long-time Ethereum developer Micah Zoltu regarding its reliability. However, Caversaccio argued that his three years of experience dealing with DPRK IT workers have convinced him of the filter’s strength, suggesting that public interviews showcasing failures will be released in the future.
Market Implications: Geopolitics and Crypto Security
The emergence of the “Kim Jong-Un test” highlights a significant shift in the crypto landscape. The industry is entering a phase where geopolitics, state-sponsored cyber operations, and HR compliance are becoming as crucial as code audits. North Korean infiltration risk is now a structural factor that the market must consider. This has significant implications for traders and investors.
- Vetting Processes: Protocols with weak contributor vetting, opaque multi-signature schemes, or ad-hoc governance structures present elevated tail risks.
- Operational Security: Projects demonstrating stronger operational security, robust incident response plans, and thorough KYC (Know Your Customer) procedures for critical roles may command higher valuations and attract more Total Value Locked (TVL).
- Increased Scrutiny: The market will likely increasingly price in the risk associated with projects that lack adequate security measures against nation-state attacks.
The Importance of Due Diligence
Investors should prioritize projects that prioritize security and demonstrate a commitment to mitigating geopolitical risks. This includes scrutinizing the team’s background, the project’s security infrastructure, and its governance model. The days of solely focusing on technical innovation are over; a holistic assessment of risk is now paramount.
The Future of Crypto Security: Beyond the "Kim Jong-Un Test"
While the “Kim Jong-Un test” offers a temporary solution, it’s not a foolproof strategy. Sophisticated actors will likely adapt and find ways to circumvent such filters. The crypto industry needs to invest in more comprehensive and sustainable security measures, including:
- Advanced Background Checks: Utilizing more sophisticated background check services that go beyond basic identity verification.
- Behavioral Analysis: Implementing behavioral analysis tools to identify suspicious patterns in developer activity.
- Enhanced Security Training: Providing comprehensive security training to all team members, focusing on social engineering tactics and threat detection.
- Collaboration and Information Sharing: Fostering greater collaboration and information sharing between crypto companies and cybersecurity experts.
- Decentralized Identity Solutions: Exploring decentralized identity solutions to verify the authenticity of individuals without relying on centralized authorities.
The threat from North Korean hackers, and other state-sponsored actors, is likely to persist. The crypto industry must proactively adapt and evolve its security practices to stay ahead of these evolving threats. The “Kim Jong-Un test” serves as a stark reminder that security is not just a technical challenge, but a geopolitical one as well.
At the moment of writing, BTC trades for around $68k on the daily chart. Source: BTCUSDT on Tradingview. The need for vigilance and robust security measures has never been greater.
Cover image from Perplexity. BTCUSDT chart from Tradingview.