CNN —A California man confessed to helping the North Korean regime prepare for an attack in a “sophisticated scheme” to illegally obtain restricted weapons and military grade technology, federal prosecutors announced Tuesday. Wen, who allegedly overstayed his visa and remained in the US illegally, was arrested Tuesday by the FBI. Thousands of US military personnel are stationed in South Korea to help bolster security and stability in the region. Justice Department officials said the arrest was unrelated to Tuesday’s internal political turmoil amid a declaration of martial law and clashes outside South Korean parliament. Akil Davis, head of the FBI’s Los Angeles division, said: “Not only did the investigative team prevent additional restricted items going to the North Korean regime, but they gathered valuable intelligence for the United States and our allies.”

---

Persons: Shenghua Wen, Wen, “, ”, Martin Estrada, Estrada, Shawn Gibson, Akil Davis Organizations: CNN, North, Justice Department, FBI, Korean, North Korean, . Justice, South, Prosecutors, Department of Justice, Emergency Economic, Homeland Security Investigations, Los Locations: California, Ontario , California, South Korea, Texas, Los Angeles, North Korea, United States