Satellites, Hackers and Alliances: Kim Jong Un's Spy Empire
Kim Jong Un demands an upgrade of North Korea's espionage and intelligence capabilities, which face severe shortages in agent networks and satellite coverage. Pyongyang relies on cooperation with Russia, tightens ties with Belarus, and funds operations through cyber hacks and crypto thefts.
Kim Jong Un is demanding "radical" changes to North Korea's military reconnaissance and intelligence capabilities, according to the Wall Street Journal. The spy agency, recently renamed the General Reconnaissance and Intelligence Bureau, suffers from structural inferiority: the country had only 43 diplomatic missions in 2024, compared to 271 for the United States, making it difficult to deploy agents. Historically, diplomats and trade representatives have served as arms dealers and intelligence couriers, and hackers have attempted to breach defense contractors from Russia and China. Pyongyang is cut off from the international banking system due to sanctions and funds operations through cyber hacks and cryptocurrency theft. In space, North Korea has managed to put only a single satellite into orbit. To bridge the gaps, Pyongyang cooperates with Russia, which provides satellite expertise in exchange for sending troops to Ukraine. Meanwhile, Kim is leading diplomatic initiatives to expand international presence, including tightening ties with Belarus, which will open an embassy in Pyongyang by next month. Experts assess that North Korea may develop an intelligence axis similar to the Five Eyes alongside Russia and China.