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North Korea-linked hackers stole $1 billion worth of cryptocurrency through 20 attacks last year, a report by an analysis firm showed Wednesday, marking the highest number of their hacks since record-keeping began in 2016.

The report by Chainalysis showed the 2023 figure — a drop in the value of stolen crypto from the previous year but a rise in the number of hacking incidents. In 2022, North Korea-linked hackers stole some $1.7 billion from 15 hacks.

The rise in hacking attacks came despite stepped-up efforts by Seoul and Washington to curb and prevent their cyber activities that they believe are designed to help bankroll the North's nuclear and missile programs.

In November, the U.S. Treasury Department sanctioned Sinbad.io, a virtual currency mixer used by Lazarus Group, known as a North Korea-linked cyber hacking group. (Yonhap)