Official announcements from the U.S. Department of State or the U.S. Treasury Department

Shenghua Wen Charged with Smuggling Arms to North Korea from California

Dec 3, 2024, 06:27 PM

A Chinese national living illegally in Southern California has been charged with smuggling weapons, ammunition, and military technology to North Korea. Federal authorities allege that Shenghua Wen, 41, was acting at the behest of North Korean government officials, shipping two containers of arms from Long Beach to North Korea. The Department of Justice announced these charges, highlighting that Wen was not only procuring and shipping guns but also electronics and other military items. North Korea reportedly funneled millions of dollars to Wen for these activities, including an attempt to purchase uniforms for a potential 'surprise attack' against South Korea.