A Chinese national living in California has been arrested and charged by federal law enforcement after he allegedly bought and exported guns and ammunition to North Korea at the direction of North Korean agents who funneled him $2 million to purchase the equipment, according to a newly unsealed criminal complaint.
Shenghua Wen, 41, also admitted to trying to obtain military uniforms in an apparent attempt to help North Korean soldiers disguise themselves and conduct a “surprise attack” against South Korea, prosecutors said in an affidavit accompanying the complaint, which was filed on Nov. 26.
Prosecutors alleged Wen came to the U.S. on a student visa in 2012 and lives in Ontario, California. During a series of interviews earlier this year, he allegedly told investigators that he met with North Korean officials in China before coming to the U.S., and they directed him to procure firearms, ammunition, and technology on behalf of Pyongyang.
Wen told the FBI he was “good at smuggling,” court records said, and he allegedly admitted he shipped two containers of guns in 2023 from Long Beach, California, to Hong Kong, where they were then smuggled into North Korea.
Wen is charged with conspiring to violate U.S. sanctions on North Korea, which make it illegal to send American money or goods to the country without permission. An attorney for Wen could not immediately be identified.
The affidavit filed in federal court in California revealed that FBI agents recovered 50,000 rounds of ammunition from Wen’s car, and he allegedly admitted to having bought the ammo at the direction of North Korean officials. Law enforcement also seized a device used to detect chemical threats and a tool that can detect hidden surveillance devices, according to the affidavit. Investigators said they found photos of firearms and equipment that Wen sent in messages with co-conspirators, some of which they included in the affidavit.
The criminal complaint did not detail the complete extent to which Wen allegedly worked on behalf of North Korea’s government, but prosecutors wrote he communicated with his handlers via encrypted messaging apps where the officials directed his conduct and coordinated the smuggling operations.
Wen allegedly bought some of the weapons he sent to North Korea via third-party straw purchasers and told investigators he drove on numerous occasions to Texas to obtain the firearms. To fund the allegedly illegal purchases and international shipments, Wen told authorities the North Korean government funneled about $2 million through a Chinese Bank into bank accounts belonging to Wen’s partner, the criminal complaint said.
“During the interview on September 6, 2024, [Wen] explained that he believed the North Korean government wanted the weapons, ammunition, and other military-related equipment to prepare for an attack against South Korea,” prosecutors wrote, adding his cellphone also contained numerous photos of U.S. military uniforms, pointing to his intent to ship the uniforms overseas.
The Justice Department has charged other individuals living in the U.S. with similar conduct tied to the North Korean government. In May, federal prosecutors accused an Arizona woman of carrying out a scheme to help North Korean IT workers illegally obtain remote employment with American companies. The group allegedly used the identities of more than 60 individuals who lived in the U.S. to generate nearly $7 million for the North Korean government from more than 300 U.S. companies.
The case of Shenghua Wen sheds light on the complex web of international espionage and illegal arms trafficking that continues to pose a threat to global security. The fact that a Chinese national living in California was able to receive funding from North Korean agents and procure weapons and ammunition to be smuggled into North Korea highlights the lengths to which rogue states will go to obtain military equipment.
Wen’s admission to trying to obtain military uniforms further underscores the dangerous intentions of the North Korean government and their desire to conduct surprise attacks against South Korea. The fact that he believed the North Korean government wanted the weapons and ammunition for an attack against South Korea raises serious concerns about the potential for further escalation in the region.
The recovery of 50,000 rounds of ammunition from Wen’s car and the seizure of devices used to detect chemical threats and hidden surveillance devices paint a troubling picture of the extent of his illegal activities. The photos of firearms and equipment found on Wen’s phone, along with his communication with North Korean officials via encrypted messaging apps, provide further evidence of his involvement in smuggling operations on behalf of Pyongyang.
The fact that Wen allegedly bought weapons through third-party straw purchasers and drove to Texas to obtain firearms highlights the sophisticated nature of his operation. The funneling of $2 million through a Chinese bank into bank accounts belonging to his partner raises questions about the extent of the financial support provided by the North Korean government to facilitate these illegal transactions.
The case of Shenghua Wen serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing threat posed by rogue states like North Korea and the need for continued vigilance and enforcement of sanctions to prevent the proliferation of weapons and technology that could be used to destabilize the region. The collaboration between law enforcement agencies in uncovering and prosecuting individuals involved in illegal arms trafficking is essential to maintaining peace and security in the global community.
The parallels between Wen’s case and the previous accusations against an Arizona woman for facilitating illegal employment of North Korean IT workers highlight the diverse tactics employed by rogue states to evade international sanctions and exploit vulnerabilities in the system. The use of third-party individuals and financial institutions to facilitate illegal transactions underscores the need for increased scrutiny and cooperation among law enforcement agencies to disrupt these networks.
As the investigation into Shenghua Wen’s activities continues, it is imperative that law enforcement agencies remain vigilant in monitoring and disrupting the illicit activities of individuals and entities that seek to undermine global security and stability. The coordination and cooperation between federal prosecutors, the FBI, and other law enforcement agencies are crucial in holding accountable those who violate international sanctions and engage in illegal arms trafficking on behalf of rogue states like North Korea.
The case of Shenghua Wen serves as a sobering reminder of the ongoing threats posed by rogue states and the importance of upholding international norms and regulations to prevent the proliferation of weapons and technology that could be used to destabilize regions and threaten global security. The swift action taken by federal law enforcement in arresting and charging Wen underscores the commitment to enforcing sanctions and holding accountable those who seek to undermine peace and stability in the international community.
