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Man from N. Korea accused in night vision goggles case agrees to plea deal

December 10, 2015
his undated law enforcement booking photo provided by the Weber County, Utah, Sheriff's Offiice shows Song Il Kim. Kim,42, from North Korea, accused of trying to buy military-grade night vision goggles from a Utah-based undercover agent and illegally export them to China, has pleaded guilty to a federal charge in an agreement with prosecutors at a hearing in Salt Lake City Wednesday, Dec. 9, 2015.(Weber County Sheriff's Office via AP)

his undated law enforcement booking photo provided by the Weber County, Utah, Sheriff’s Offiice shows Song Il Kim. Kim,42, from North Korea, accused of trying to buy military-grade night vision goggles from a Utah-based undercover agent and illegally export them to China, has pleaded guilty to a federal charge in an agreement with prosecutors at a hearing in Salt Lake City Wednesday, Dec. 9, 2015.(Weber County Sheriff’s Office via AP)

SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — A man from North Korea accused of trying to buy military-grade night vision goggles from a Utah-based undercover agent and illegally export them to China has pleaded guilty to a federal charge in an agreement with prosecutors.

Song Il Kim was arrested in Hawaii after agreeing to pay $22,000 for the equipment and packing it into boxes that he claimed were filled with used toys and towels so he could ship them to his Chinese business, charges state.

Prosecutors say they believe the six pairs of goggles would have gotten to North Korea from there, though defense attorney Scott Williams disputes that allegation.

During a Wednesday hearing in Salt Lake City, Kim, 42, pleaded guilty to violating the Arms Export Control Act by exporting the equipment without a license, court records show. That law regulates shipping of military equipment, guns, explosives and other devices.