Huang Chung-wei, son of a former Taiwanese legislator, received 28 months in prison for illegally sending fuel to North Korea. Five accomplices also received prison terms. The court convicted them of loading fuel onto ships in Taiwan and transferring it at sea. They acted in collaboration with Singaporean businessman Kwek Kee Seng, wanted by the US, who remains at large. The court ruled their actions violated Taiwan’s Counter-Terrorism Financing Act and other laws.
North Korea Exploits Sea Transfers Amid Sanctions
UN sanctions restrict North Korea’s access to fuel due to its nuclear and missile programs. The country relies on secret ship-to-ship transfers. Taiwan, although not a UN member because of China’s pressure, pledged to follow UN rulings regarding Pyongyang. Investigators said North Korea uses a “shadow fleet” of ships that disable electronic identification systems to avoid detection.
Investigation Tracks Illegal Shipments
Authorities traced the case back to 2019, when Huang and Kwek purchased tankers, loaded them with fuel, and carried out transfers. US intelligence monitored the shipments via satellite and provided evidence to Kaohsiung investigators. The court did not disclose Huang’s financial gains or whether he plans to appeal. Huang’s father previously served in Taiwan’s legislature for the Democratic Progressive Party.
