GRIMY TIMES EXCLUSIVE: In a stunning revelation, Chong Sik Yu, known as ‘Chris Yu,’ and Yunseo Lee have been arrested for their alleged roles in a brazen scheme to violate the Export Control Reform Act. The duo is accused of conspiring to unlawfully export dual-use electronics components to China, posing a significant threat to national security.
The Southern District of New York’s Acting U.S. Attorney Audrey Strauss and Assistant Attorney General for National Security John C. Demers have announced the charges against Yu and Lee, who were apprehended today. They are set to appear before U.S. Magistrate Judge Kevin Nathaniel Fox in Manhattan federal court later today.
According to sources, the scheme was orchestrated by America Techma Inc. (‘ATI’) president Chong Sik Yu and sales representative Yunseo Lee. They are alleged to have sent export-controlled items with military applications to Hong Kong and China without proper licensing, a clear violation of the Export Control Reform Act (ECRA) of 2018.
In June 2019, ATI obtained electronics components subject to strict export controls for missile technology and nuclear nonproliferation. These were then sent to a trading company in Hong Kong. In January 2020, they attempted to send more such components before the package was intercepted by law enforcement. Yu and Lee are said to have discussed evading scrutiny by using transshipment routes through South Korea and employing a separate entity based in New Jersey.
Acting U.S. Attorney Audrey Strauss emphasized the severity of the charges, stating that ‘we will continue to protect our national security by preventing dual-use technologies from being sent abroad without the required licenses.’ Assistant Attorney General Demers echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the department’s commitment to disrupting illegal technology transfers to China.
Jonathan Carson, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Department of Commerce, Office of Export Enforcement (‘OEE’), vowed that ‘we will continue to work with our law enforcement partners using criminal prosecutions to keep the most dangerous goods out of the most dangerous hands.’ The charges against Yu and Lee could lead to significant penalties if they are found guilty.
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Key Facts
- State: New York
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Public Corruption|Organized Crime|White Collar Crime
- Source: Official Source ↗
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