Federal prosecutors announced the arrest of Shenghua Wen, a California resident, for allegedly conspiring with North Korea to procure restricted weapons and military-grade technology as part of a sophisticated scheme.
Wen, a Chinese national living illegally in the U.S. since overstaying a student visa in 2012, reportedly confessed to assisting North Korea in preparing for a potential attack on South Korea.
According to a criminal complaint, Wen collaborated with North Korean officials to secure prohibited items, receiving $2 million for his efforts. He also sought military uniforms to help North Korean soldiers disguise themselves during a surprise attack on South Korea.
Prosecutors claim Wen established a Texas-based export company to obtain firearms and ammunition, which were shipped to North Korea using falsified inventory manifests as recently as 2023.
When the FBI searched Wen’s home, they seized 50,000 rounds of ammunition, chemical detection equipment, and tools for detecting listening devices, which he allegedly intended to send to North Korea. Authorities also uncovered communications on Wen’s phone with North Korean contacts, featuring images of weapons and electronic devices.
Wen’s arrest has been hailed as a critical intervention by law enforcement.
U.S. Attorney Martin Estrada emphasized the severity of Wen’s actions, noting the risks of sensitive technology falling into hostile hands. If convicted of violating the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, Wen faces up to 20 years in prison.
Homeland Security and FBI officials underscored the importance of the investigation, citing its value in safeguarding national security and providing intelligence to U.S. allies.
