U.S. imposes sanctions on North Korean hacking groups blamed for global attacks

FILE PHOTO: A North Korean flag flies on a mast at the Permanent Mission of North Korea in Geneva October 2, 2014. REUTERS/Denis Balibouse/File Picture

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S. Treasury on Friday announced sanctions on three North Korean hacking groups it said were involved in the "WannaCry" ransomware attacks and hacking of international banks and customer accounts.

It named the groups as Lazarus Group, Bluenoroff, and Andariel and said they were controlled by the RGB, North Korea's primary intelligence bureau, which is already subject to U.S. and United Nations sanctions.