A Taiwanese court sentenced Huang Chung-wei, son of a former legislator, to 28 months in prison. Judges in Kaohsiung convicted him of helping supply thousands of tons of fuel oil to North Korea. Five others also received prison terms for involvement in the operation.
Coordinated Transfers with International Partners
Prosecutors said Huang and accomplices loaded fuel onto ships in Taiwan and transferred it at sea with Singaporean businessman Kwek Kee Seng. The US has issued a warrant for Kwek, whose current location remains unknown. The court ruled that the operation violated Taiwan’s Counter-Terrorism Financing Act and related laws. Taiwan, though not a UN member, pledged to follow sanctions against Pyongyang.
International Tracking and Long Investigation
The case began in 2019 when Huang and Kwek allegedly purchased tankers, filled them with fuel, and executed offshore transfers. North Korea’s “shadow fleet” of ships, often sailing without active electronic identification, received the fuel. US intelligence tracked the transactions with satellites and shared evidence with Taiwanese investigators. The court noted Huang’s father previously served in Taiwan’s legislature for the Democratic Progressive Party. Authorities have not revealed Huang’s profits, and it remains unclear whether he will appeal.
