A former foreign policy expert with ties to the CIA and the White House National Security Council (NSC) has been indicted on charges of acting as an unregistered agent for South Korea. Sue Mi Terry, who served as a senior CIA analyst and held a position at the NSC, is accused of promoting South Korean policies and sharing confidential U.S. government information with South Korean intelligence officers.
According to the indictment revealed in Manhattan federal court, Terry received luxury items such as Bottega Veneta and Louis Vuitton handbags, a Dolce & Gabbana coat, and fine dining experiences at Michelin-starred restaurants in return for her services. Additionally, she allegedly received over $37,000 in covert funding for a public policy program on Korean affairs.
The alleged activities began in 2013, two years after Terry left her government role, and continued for a decade. Terry is currently a senior fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations and is recognized as an expert on East Asia and the Korean Peninsula, including North Korea.
Terry’s lawyer, Lee Wolosky, denied the allegations, stating, “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 in Washington have not responded to requests for comment. Terry, born in Seoul and raised in Virginia, has frequently appeared on TV, radio, and podcasts and has testified before congressional panels. She is charged with failing to register under the Foreign Agents Registration Act and conspiracy to violate that law. The indictment notes that Terry admitted to being a “source” for South Korea’s intelligence service during a voluntary FBI interview in June 2023.
