A North Korean computer programmer has been charged over the WannaCry cyber attack that hit NHS trusts across the UK.
Park Jin Hyok is accused of participating in the attacks on multiple victims in the entertainment and financial sectors across the globe.
It comes after an international investigation by authorities including the UK’s National Crime Agency (NCA), Europol and the FBI.
Dozens of UK hospitals were disrupted when the attack took place last May, as well as organisations in more than 100 other countries.
Park was charged by the US justice department.
Steve Rodhouse, NCA director general of operations, said: "The collaboration between UK and US law enforcement has been strong and effective and these charges show that we will not tire in our efforts to identify those who believe they can hide behind a computer and cause havoc across the world, regardless of their motivation or status.
"The past year has shown that cyber attacks have real-world consequences and can cause enormous reputational and financial damage to businesses of all sizes.
"The Wannacry attack highlighted that cyber crime affects not just the country's prosperity and security, but also affects our everyday way of life.
Mr Rodhouse added: "The distinction between nation states and criminal groups in terms of cyber crime is becoming frequently more blurred and today's charges are a significant step forward in our investigation."
Britain said in December that it believed the WannaCry attack was the work of cyber criminals known as the Lazarus Group.
The group has previously been linked to the 2014 Sony Pictures hack, which led to the Hollywood studio cancelling the release of the film The Interview.
The movie is a satirical comedy featuring a plot to assassinate North Korean leader Kim Jong-un.
It was also connected to an 81 million dollar (£63 million) cyber heist from the Bangladeshi central bank and attacks on banks in Vietnam and Ecuador.
