Court records and official announcements from the Department of Justice

Chinese National Arrested in California for Allegedly Shipping Weapons to North Korea at Agents' Direction

Dec 3, 2024, 06:50 PM

Federal authorities have arrested Shenghua Wen, a 41-year-old Chinese national living illegally in Ontario, California, on charges of exporting firearms, ammunition, and other military items to North Korea. Wen, who allegedly overstayed his visa, is accused of shipping two containers of weapons from Long Beach, California, to North Korea at the direction of North Korean government officials. The Department of Justice has charged him with felony conspiracy to violate the International Emergency Economic Powers Act. The case highlights the ongoing issue of illegal arms trafficking to North Korea, with federal prosecutors describing the allegations as 'chilling.' It was also revealed that North Korea had funneled millions to Wen for weapons and attempted to buy uniforms for a 'surprise attack' against South Korea.