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Why? It's not like you have to invest in expensive equipment and enrol into some kind of specialist training programme that only some countries have access to.

Why? It's not like you have to invest in expensive equipment and enrol into some kind of specialist training programme that only some countries have access to. You just need a computer, access to material online and determination. Plenty of hacks and viruses are done by independent individuals and small groups not linked to the government.

mbesto 9y ago
Ya, but you need enable actors to learn. This is the dichotomy I too don't understand about NK - how do you presumably give software engineers access to the internet, while still restricting them to your firewall and still be able to create sophisticated malware. At some point those engineers will "stumble" on information that says "you're not free in your country...get out"...no?
- wybiral 9y ago
  There have been defectors.
- freedomben 9y ago
  Simply hearing the message "you're not free in your country...get out" is far from enough for the average person. They are completely inundated from birth with worship of the Great Leader. There's an awesome book called "Mig Pilot" by John Barron that details the story of a Soviet defector in the 80s. He talks about how he believed everything from the US was actually propaganda. He didn't even believe the grocery stores were real. It's a fascinating read.
  - marcoperaza 9y ago
    North Korea punishes your whole family if you misbehave. If you're a North Korean hacker, you're probably living better than 95% of the country. You and your family probably get to live in Pyongyang and get good food, housing, healthcare, opportunities for your children, and so forth. Why would you risk that? What could you, as one person, possibly do that would have any chance of success in fixing your country? The only thing you would get is your whole family thrown into a labor camp for the rest of your lives.
- rorykoehler 9y ago
  If you've ever seen NKs propaganda videos about Americans being brainwashed slaves to commercialism (set to insane black friday footage that makes their point very well) you will understand how being told that they are not free will have minimal impact. The "hackers" are probably part of the elite ruling party and quite happy with their position in society. Just like the SV software engineer living in the homeless hellscape of San Francisco is also quite happy whilst walking amongst the lost and destitute on a daily basis.

mbesto 9y ago

Ya, but you need enable actors to learn. This is the dichotomy I too don't understand about NK - how do you presumably give software engineers access to the internet, while still restricting them to your firewall and still be able to create sophisticated malware. At some point those engineers will "stumble" on information that says "you're not free in your country...get out"...no?

wybiral 9y ago
There have been defectors.
freedomben 9y ago
Simply hearing the message "you're not free in your country...get out" is far from enough for the average person. They are completely inundated from birth with worship of the Great Leader. There's an awesome book called "Mig Pilot" by John Barron that details the story of a Soviet defector in the 80s. He talks about how he believed everything from the US was actually propaganda. He didn't even believe the grocery stores were real. It's a fascinating read.
- marcoperaza 9y ago
  North Korea punishes your whole family if you misbehave. If you're a North Korean hacker, you're probably living better than 95% of the country. You and your family probably get to live in Pyongyang and get good food, housing, healthcare, opportunities for your children, and so forth. Why would you risk that? What could you, as one person, possibly do that would have any chance of success in fixing your country? The only thing you would get is your whole family thrown into a labor camp for the rest of your lives.
rorykoehler 9y ago
If you've ever seen NKs propaganda videos about Americans being brainwashed slaves to commercialism (set to insane black friday footage that makes their point very well) you will understand how being told that they are not free will have minimal impact. The "hackers" are probably part of the elite ruling party and quite happy with their position in society. Just like the SV software engineer living in the homeless hellscape of San Francisco is also quite happy whilst walking amongst the lost and destitute on a daily basis.