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Amazon Blocks 1,800 North Korean IT Job Applicants

12/23/2025

43 7 Full Breakdown

Summary

Story summary

Amazon blocked more than 1,800 North Korean workers from applying to remote IT jobs.
Amazon's Chief Security Officer Stephen Schmidt said North Korean applications rose nearly one-third in the past year.
North Korean applicants often use 'laptop farms' that remotely operate US-based computers.
Schmidt warned the issue extends beyond Amazon and likely affects the broader tech industry.

History

Historical Context

Since North Korea's first nuclear test in 2006, the UN Security Council has imposed multiple sanctions to curb its nuclear ambitions. In 2017, these sanctions intensified, banning key exports like coal, which accounted for over $401 million annually. Despite restrictions, North Korea's economy grew, highlighting its evasion tactics, such as remote IT job applications, which pose challenges for global cybersecurity.

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Story summary

Amazon blocked more than 1,800 North Korean workers from applying to remote IT jobs.
Amazon's Chief Security Officer Stephen Schmidt said North Korean applications rose nearly one-third in the past year.
North Korean applicants often use 'laptop farms' that remotely operate US-based computers.
Schmidt warned the issue extends beyond Amazon and likely affects the broader tech industry.

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