Shocking FBI Arrests Man Linked to Chilling ‘Surprise Attack’ Plot Against South Korea

Federal prosecutors said Tuesday that a California man has admitted to aiding the North Korean government in its preparation for an attack through a “sophisticated scheme” to illegally acquire military-grade technology and banned weapons.

In a criminal complaint, the Justice Department said that Shenghua Wen, a Chinese national living illegally in Ontario, California, had colluded with North Korean authorities to acquire banned goods prior to coming to the United States as a student in 2012.

The FBI nabbed Wen on Tuesday after he allegedly overstayed his visa and stayed in the country illegally. According to the complaint, Wen stated in FBI interviews that “he believed the North Korean government wanted the weapons, ammunition and other military-related equipment to prepare for an attack against South Korea.”

The North Korean government also paid Wen $2 million to acquire the materials.

According to the complaint, Wen told investigators that in addition to weapons and equipment, the North Korean regime also assigned him the responsibility of acquiring military uniforms in the United States, which “would subsequently be used by the North Korean military to disguise their soldiers to conduct a surprise attack on South Korea.”

To support regional security and stability, thousands of American military personnel are based in South Korea. The arrest was unrelated to Tuesday’s domestic political unrest, which included skirmishes outside the South Korean parliament and the imposition of martial law, according to Justice Department authorities.

Export business in Texas

According to the prosecution, Wen set up an export business in Texas where, as recently as 2023, weapons and ammunition were purchased, sent to the Los Angeles region, and then packed in shipping containers with fictitious inventory manifests for delivery to North Korea.

Authorities found 50,000 rounds of ammunition, advanced chemical detection equipment, and a listening device detection tool during the execution of a search warrant at Wen’s residence. Wen allegedly stated that he also planned to transport the listening devices to North Korea.

The FBI found multiple texts “between Wen and several (North Korean) co-conspirators with images of firearms and electronic devices” when searching his cell phone, according to the complaint.

CNN is trying to find Wen’s lawyer information. According to Estrada, he may spend up to 20 years behind bars if found guilty of breaking the International Emergency Economic Powers Act.

According to Shawn Gibson, special agent in charge of Homeland Security Investigations, “the consequences of these actions cannot be overstated when technology and sensitive items fall into the wrong hands, especially those of hostile nations.”

“The investigative team not only stopped more restricted items from reaching the North Korean regime, but they also collected important intelligence for the United States and our allies,” stated Akil Davis, head of the FBI’s Los Angeles division.