Department of Justice to set out charges against North Korean ‘WannaCry hackers’

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US officials are set to unveil charges against North Korean nationals allegedly behind the cyber attacks which hit the NHS as well as major global institutions last year.

The expected charges, which will likely be announced by the Department of Justice later today, relate to both Sony Pictures being hacked in 2014 and the WannaCry malware disruption in 2017 that harmed British hospitals as well as businesses across the world.

Last year’s act of cyber warfare was said to have impacted on more than 300,000 computers in 150 nations, causing billions of dollars worth of damage, and causing widespread disruption in the NHS as operations were postponed.

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However, North Korea found itself in the spotlight in 2014, when Sony Pictures software was hit by what many observers interpreted as an act of retribution by the pariah state for “The Interview”, a Sony film that mocked dictator Kim Jong-Un.

The news, which was first reported by ABC earlier today, comes after several months in which the White House has sought to ease relations with North Korea following a summit between Trump and Kim in June this year.

In another show of the burgeoning relationship between the two leaders, Trump tweeted his thanks to Kim earlier today, saying: “Kim Jong Un of North Korea proclaims “unwavering faith in President Trump.” Thank you to Chairman Kim. We will get it done together!”