By Smartencyclopedia & Agencies

A former US Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) analyst, Sue Mi Terry, has been indicted by a New York grand jury on charges of espionage for the South Korean government. The allegations include acting as a spy in exchange for luxury goods, bags, and extravagant meals.

Indictment Details

Ms. Terry, who previously served as a senior official for the White House National Security Council, faces two counts of failing to register as a foreign agent and conspiracy to violate the Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA). Federal officials revealed that Ms. Terry, a renowned US expert on North Korea, had been acting as an agent for South Korea for over a decade without registering with American authorities.

Professional Background

Ms. Terry, 54, currently a senior fellow on Asia at the Council on Foreign Relations, has been placed on unpaid leave by the think tank. Her biography has also been removed from the organisation’s website. Born in South Korea and moving to the US at age 12, Ms. Terry earned her doctorate from the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University in 2001. She then worked as a senior analyst for the CIA from 2001 to 2008 and held various federal government positions, including Director for Korea, Japan, and Oceanic Affairs at the National Security Council during the George W. Bush and Barack Obama administrations.

Allegations and Defense

Prosecutors allege that Ms. Terry’s espionage activities began in 2013, five years after her tenure at the CIA and the National Security Council. The 31-page indictment claims she admitted to being a “source” for South Korea’s National Intelligence Service during a voluntary interview with FBI agents in 2023. The South Korean government allegedly provided Ms. Terry with luxurious gifts such as a $2,845 Dolce & Gabbana coat, a $3,450 Louis Vuitton handbag, and lavish restaurant meals. Additionally, officials state that she received $37,000 from the South Korean government, with efforts made to obscure the origin of the funds by placing them in a gift fund at her think tank.

Ms. Terry denies the charges, with her attorney, Lee Wolosky, describing the allegations as “unfounded.” Wolosky argued that the charges misrepresent the work of a respected scholar and news analyst known for her independence and service to the US. He emphasized that Ms. Terry was a harsh critic of the South Korean government during the period she allegedly acted on its behalf.

Context and Implications

Ms. Terry’s indictment follows closely on the heels of Democratic Senator Robert Menendez’s conviction for aiding foreign governments in exchange for luxury items, including gold bars and a Mercedes car. This recent wave of high-profile espionage and corruption cases underscores the ongoing challenges and complexities in ensuring national security and ethical governance.

As the legal proceedings unfold, the case of Sue Mi Terry serves as a stark reminder of the delicate balance between national allegiance and foreign influence, especially among individuals in critical security and policy-making positions.