Man in US charged with allegedly shipping weapons to N Korea
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A Chinese national living in California has been arrested and charged for allegedly shipping weapons and ammunition from the United States to North Korea. Shenghua Wen, 41, faces charges for violating U.S. laws prohibiting the export of such goods to North Korea, a country subject to strict international sanctions. The U.S. Justice Department revealed that Wen allegedly sent multiple shipments containing weapons, ammunition, and other items to North Korea, funded by nearly $2 million the regime had wired to him.
In September, federal agents seized 50,000 rounds of ammunition from a van parked outside Wen’s home in Ontario, California. According to an affidavit, Wen admitted that he had procured the ammunition at the direction of North Korean officials. It’s unclear whether Wen has legal representation, but he is scheduled to appear in court to face the charges.
The U.S. government claims Wen lacked the necessary licenses to export the items seized at his home, which included firearms, ammunition, and various devices. Wen is charged with conspiracy to violate the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, which could result in up to 20 years in federal prison if he is convicted.
The affidavit outlines Wen’s alleged actions in shipping firearms and ammunition in concealed containers from Long Beach, California, to North Korea via Hong Kong. Federal agents discovered two devices at Wen’s residence in August 2023, which he reportedly intended to send to North Korea for its military. These devices included a chemical threat identification tool and a handheld receiver used to detect eavesdropping devices.
Furthermore, the 50,000 rounds of ammunition found in the van outside Wen’s home were also reportedly destined for North Korea. Wen allegedly told authorities that he intended to send these supplies to the country’s military. Wen, who entered the U.S. in 2012 on a student visa, has since overstayed his visa, making his possession of firearms and ammunition illegal under U.S. law.
During a search of Wen’s iPhone, FBI agents reportedly found further evidence of his involvement in weapons smuggling, including emails and texts about acquiring a civilian plane engine. Wen allegedly stated that North Korea sought the engine to support its military drone program. In interviews with federal authorities in December 2023, Wen purportedly claimed that North Korea needed these items to prepare for an attack on South Korea.
Additional troubling details emerged from the search of Wen’s phone. The FBI found numerous images of people wearing U.S. military uniforms, and Wen reportedly explained that North Korea wanted military uniforms for a planned “surprise attack on South Korea.” These revelations paint a picture of a sophisticated and dangerous operation aimed at strengthening North Korea’s military capabilities.
Wen’s student visa, which was valid from December 2012 to December 2013, expired several years ago. In 2018, he was ordered to leave the United States, according to the affidavit from the Department of Homeland Security. Wen had previously been arrested in 2021 for overstaying his visa, and he acknowledged his status as an illegal resident at the time.
The arrest of Shenghua Wen highlights the ongoing concerns about foreign nationals attempting to bypass sanctions and export goods that could bolster the military capabilities of North Korea. With tensions high in East Asia, particularly due to North Korea’s military activities and its provocations against South Korea and its allies, the U.S. government has been vigilant in monitoring and curbing any attempts to violate the sanctions.
The case also raises serious concerns about national security and the risks posed by individuals seeking to assist adversarial regimes like North Korea. Wen’s alleged involvement in supplying military technology and equipment to North Korea underscores the global nature of the ongoing arms race, and the importance of stringent enforcement of international sanctions aimed at limiting North Korea’s military capabilities.
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