() – A California man confessed to helping the North Korean regime prepare for an attack in a “sophisticated scheme” to illegally obtain restricted weapons and military-grade technology, federal prosecutors announced Tuesday.
Shenghua Wen, a Chinese national residing illegally in Ontario, California, conspired with North Korean officials to obtain prohibited items before traveling to the United States as a student in 2012, the Justice Department alleged in a criminal complaint. Wen, who allegedly stayed in the United States illegally after his visa expired, was arrested Tuesday by the FBI.
During interviews with the FBI, Wen said he “believed that the North Korean government wanted the weapons, ammunition and other military equipment to prepare for an attack against South Korea,” according to the complaint, which adds that the North Korean government paid Wen US $2 million to obtain the items.
In addition to weapons and equipment, Wen told investigators that the North Korean regime also tasked him with obtaining military uniforms in the United States, which “would later be used by the North Korean Army to disguise its soldiers and carry out a surprise attack against South Korea.” ”the complaint states.
Thousands of U.S. military personnel are stationed in South Korea to help bolster security and stability in the region. Justice Department officials said the arrest was not related to domestic political turmoil Tuesday amid a declaration of martial law and clashes outside South Korea’s parliament.
Prosecutors allege that Wen established an export company in Texas, in which firearms and ammunition were purchased and transported to the Los Angeles area, then packed into cargo containers with false inventory manifests for shipment to Korea. North in 2023.
While executing a search warrant at Wen’s home, authorities seized 50,000 rounds of ammunition, sophisticated chemical detection equipment and a tool used to detect listening devices, which Wen allegedly said he intended to also send to South Korea. North.
During a search of his cell phone, the FBI discovered numerous messages “between Wen and several (North Korean) co-conspirators containing images of firearms and electronic devices,” the complaint states.
“There is no telling how much additional damage Mr. Wen could have caused if it had not been for the intervention of law enforcement,” Attorney General Martin Estrada said during a press conference Tuesday.
is trying to find information about Wen’s lawyer. If convicted of violating the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, he could be sentenced to up to 20 years in prison, Estrada said.
“The consequences of these actions when technology and sensitive items fall into the wrong hands, especially those of hostile nations, cannot be overstated,” said Shawn Gibson, special agent in charge of Homeland Security Investigations.
Akil Davis, head of the FBI’s Los Angeles division, said: “The investigative team not only prevented more restricted items from reaching the North Korean regime, but gathered valuable information for the United States and our allies.”
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