Huang Chung-wei, son of a former Taiwanese legislator, received 28 months in prison in Kaohsiung. Five accomplices also received prison terms. The court convicted them of loading fuel onto ships in Taiwan and transferring it at sea with Singaporean businessman Kwek Kee Seng. Kwek remains wanted by the US and his location is unknown. The court ruled their actions violated Taiwan’s Counter-Terrorism Financing Act and related laws.
North Korea Uses Illegal Shipments to Circumvent Sanctions
United Nations sanctions block North Korea from buying fuel legally due to its nuclear and missile programs. The isolated country relies on illicit fuel transfers at sea. Taiwan, although excluded from the UN under pressure from China, follows UN rulings on Pyongyang. Investigators said North Korea maintains a “shadow fleet” of ships without electronic tracking.
International Agencies Help Expose the Scheme
Authorities traced the case back to 2019, when Huang and Kwek allegedly purchased tankers, loaded fuel, and organized transfers. US intelligence tracked the shipments via satellite and shared the information with Kaohsiung investigators. The court did not disclose how much Huang earned or whether he plans to appeal. Huang’s father previously served as a legislator for Taiwan’s Democratic Progressive Party.
