U.S. prosecutors have indicted a Korean American for attempting to illegally transfer rocket devices and technology from Russia to South Korea.

According to the Associated Press, the 68-year-old man, identified by his surname "Yoon," stood trial Thursday for illegally trying to help South Korea obtain a state-of-the-art rocket propulsion system, which is a necessary component for South Korea to launch its KSLVII space vehicle.

The New Jersey resident was caught by U.S. prosecutors immediately after contacting a former weapons dealer in Miami in the middle of the month.

The AP said the rocket propulsion system, called RD-180, was co-developed by the U.S. and Russia.