Sue Mi Terry Indicted For Allegedly Acting As Unregistered Agent For South Korea

Sue Mi Terry, a former CIA analyst and NSC official, has been indicted on charges of acting as an unregistered agent for South Korea, according to an indictment unsealed in Manhattan federal court. Terry, who now serves as a senior fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations, is accused of promoting South Korean policy positions and sharing nonpublic U.S. government information with South Korean intelligence officers.

The indictment claims that in exchange for her services, Terry received luxury goods, including high-end handbags and a designer coat, as well as fine dining experiences. Additionally, she allegedly received more than $37,000 in covert funding for a public policy program she ran on Korean affairs. The alleged activities spanned from 2013 to 2023, beginning two years after Terry left her government roles.

Terry, who specializes in East Asia and the Korean Peninsula, including North Korea, has denied the charges. Her lawyer, Lee Wolosky, issued a statement saying, “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. In fact, she was a harsh critic of the South Korean government during times this indictment alleges that she was acting on its behalf. Once the facts are made clear it will be evident the government made a significant mistake.”

The U.S. Attorney’s office in Manhattan and the South Korean embassy have not commented on the case. Born in Seoul and raised in Virginia, Terry worked as a senior CIA analyst from 2001 to 2008 and held a position at the NSC from 2008 to 2009 under Presidents George W. Bush and Barack Obama. She is known for her frequent appearances on television, radio, and podcasts and has testified before Congress multiple times.

The indictment charges Terry with failing to register as a foreign agent and conspiracy to violate the Foreign Agents Registration Act. It also mentions that during a voluntary FBI interview in June 2023, Terry admitted to being a “source” for South Korea’s intelligence service.

This case underscores the complexities and potential legal pitfalls for former government officials working internationally and the stringent requirements of the Foreign Agents Registration Act aimed at maintaining transparency in foreign lobbying activities in the U.S.