Sue Mi Terry is a notable North Korea expert and former CIA analyst who has recently come under scrutiny. Indicted by a New York grand jury, Terry faces charges of secretly working for the South Korean government in exchange for luxury goods, high-end meals, and $37,000 for a fund she controlled.
Terry’s career began in 2001 when she started working for the U.S.government, specializing in East Asian issues at the CIA. She resigned in 2008 due to a conflict of interest related to her connections with South Korea’s National Intelligence Service. She later served as the director for Japan, Korea, and Oceanic affairs for the National Security Council under both the George W. Bush and Barack Obama administrations.
According to the indictment, Terry began acting as a foreign agent in June 2013, meeting with a South Korean “handler” multiple times. She allegedly advocated for South Korean policy positions, disclosed nonpublic U.S. government information, and facilitated access for South Korean officials to U.S. officials. In return, she allegedly received $37,000, a $3,450 Louis Vuitton handbag, a $2,845 Dolce & Gabbana coat, and meals at Michelin star restaurants.
The indictment further claims Terry provided detailed notes from a closed-door briefing with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken in June 2022 to her handler. Despite these allegations, Terry’s attorney, Lee Wolosky, maintains her innocence, asserting the charges are unfounded and that she was a harsh critic of the South Korean government during the alleged period of espionage.
Terry, born in Seoul and now a naturalized U.S. citizen, has had a prominent presence in the media, with appearances on CNN and articles in various American and South Korean news outlets. She was placed on administrative leave by the Council on Foreign Relations, where she was a senior fellow, following the indictment.
The case highlights the complex dynamics between the U.S. and South Korea, key allies in the Asia-Pacific region. The indictment alleges Terry violated the Foreign Agents Registration Act by not registering as a foreign agent, a requirement for U.S. citizens engaging in certain activities for foreign governments.
South Korean and U.S. intelligence authorities are reportedly in close communication regarding the indictment, while South Korea’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has refrained from commenting on the ongoing judicial proceedings.
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