Defendant Pleads Guilty to Illegal Export of Rocket Technology to South Korea

MIAMI, May 24 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Juwhan Yun, a.k.a. Jw Yun, 69, of Short Hills, N.J., pleaded guilty today in the Southern District of Florida to attempting to export RD-180 rocket propulsion systems and technology to the Republic of South Korea without a license.

The guilty plea was announced by Wifredo A. Ferrer, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Florida; Anthony V. Mangione, Special Agent in Charge, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Office of Investigations; Amie R. Tanchak, Resident Agent in Charge, U.S. Department of Defense, Defense Criminal Investigative Service; and John Corbett, Special Agent in Charge, NASA OIG, Office of Criminal Investigations.

According to court documents and statements made in court, as early as December 2008, Yun attempted to acquire RD-180 rocket propulsion systems, engines and related technology for the Republic of South Korea. These items are classified as defense articles under the U.S. Munitions List.

According to court documents, Yun was previously convicted of conspiring to export Sarin gas in violation of the Arms Export Control Act and was previously sentenced to 39 months in prison. As a result of today's guilty plea, Yun faces a term of up to ten years in prison. Sentencing is scheduled for August 20, 2010 at 10:00 a.m.

Mr. Ferrer commended the investigative efforts of the ICE's Office of Investigations, the Defense Criminal Investigative Service and NASA OIG, Office of Criminal Investigations and the assistance of the State Department's Directorate of Defense Trade Controls. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael Walleisa.

SOURCE U.S. Department of Justice

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