Sue Mi Terry, a former CIA and White House official, has been indicted on charges of acting as an unregistered agent for South Korea, allegedly providing sensitive U.S. information in exchange for luxury goods and substantial financial incentives. Her defense claims the allegations are unfounded, asserting her critical stance toward South Korea during the period in question.
Sue Mi Terry, a former senior analyst for the CIA and the White House National Security Council, has been indicted under the Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA) for allegedly acting as an unregistered agent of South Korea. According to federal prosecutors, Terry provided South Korean intelligence with access to sensitive U.S. information, advocacy, and facilitated connections with U.S. officials, all while receiving luxury items and funds for her public policy program.
Federal prosecutors allege that Sue Mi Terry, while working outside of government at think tanks, served as an agent for South Korea's intelligence service. She is accused of providing nonpublic U.S. government information, advocating South Korean policy positions, and arranging meetings between South Korean and U.S. officials. In return, she allegedly received luxury goods such as designer handbags and coats, expensive dinners, and over $37,000 for a Korean affairs public policy program she controlled. Terry faces charges of conspiracy to violate FARA and failure to register as a foreign agent, each carrying a maximum sentence of five years in prison.
Lee Wolosky, Terry's attorney, has stated that the charges against her are unfounded and distort her work as an independent scholar and analyst. He emphasized that Terry has been a vocal critic of the South Korean government, which contradicts the allegations that she acted on its behalf. The Council on Foreign Relations, where Terry was a senior fellow, has placed her on unpaid administrative leave pending the outcome of the case. The indictment has stirred significant media and public interest, given Terry's high-profile background and the sensitive nature of the charges.
The case against Sue Mi Terry highlights potential vulnerabilities in the intelligence and diplomatic interactions between the U.S. and its allies, particularly South Korea. The allegations, if proven, could strain the trust and cooperative security dynamics between the two nations. This incident also underscores the importance of transparency and adherence to legal protocols in international relations, especially concerning individuals with access to sensitive information.
The indictment of Sue Mi Terry as an unregistered foreign agent for South Korea presents a complex case of alleged espionage that touches on issues of national security, legal accountability, and international diplomacy. As the legal proceedings unfold, the implications for Terry's personal and professional reputation, as well as for U.S.-South Korea relations, will be closely watched.
"These allegations are unfounded and distort the work of a scholar and news analyst known for her independence and years of service to the United States." - Lee Wolosky