A Chinese man living illegally in the United States has pleaded guilty to exporting guns, ammunition, and other military items to North Korea at the direction of Pyongyang. Shenghua Wen, 42, of Ontario, California, admitted to one count of conspiracy to violate the International Emergency Economic Powers Act and one count of acting as an illegal agent of a foreign government.
According to prosecutors, Wen shipped at least three containers of guns bound for North Korea in 2023, one of which arrived in Nampo, North Korea, via Hong Kong. To facilitate the scheme, Wen bought a firearms business in Houston, Texas, and used false paperwork to conceal the contents of his shipping containers. He also allegedly bought approximately 60,000 rounds of 9mm ammunition and obtained “sensitive technology,” including a chemical threat identification device, for shipment to North Korea.
Wen was allegedly directed to procure the weapons and sensitive goods by North Korean officials he met at the North Korean Embassy in China before entering the US on a student visa in 2012. Wen was transferred about $2 million to carry out the scheme. During questioning by the FBI, Wen said he believed the North Korean government wanted the weapons and ammunition to prepare for an attack against South Korea.
The US Attorney’s Office for the Central District of California stated, “Wen admitted that at all relevant times he knew that it was illegal to ship firearms, ammunition, and sensitive technology to North Korea. He also admitted to never having the required licenses to export ammunition, firearms, and the above-described devices to North Korea.”
Wen faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison for violating the International Emergency Economic Powers Act and up to 10 years for acting as an illegal agent of a foreign government. He is due to face court for sentencing in August.