Former CIA Analyst Charged with Alleged Espionage for South Korea in Exchange for Luxury Gifts

Former Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) analyst Sue Mi Terry is facing charges for allegedly engaging in espionage on behalf of South Korea in exchange for extravagant gifts and benefits, as detailed by the US Department of Justice in a recent indictment filed in a New York federal court.

Terry, who worked for the US government from 2001 to 2011, is accused of passing sensitive information to the South Korean government and promoting their interests, all while receiving luxurious items and dining experiences in return.

The alleged espionage activities reportedly commenced in 2013, following Terry’s departure from US government service, and continued for a decade.

In return for her services, Terry was treated to lavish meals at Michelin-starred restaurants and gifted high-end items, including designer handbags such as Louis Vuitton and Bottega Veneta, as well as a coat from Dolce & Gabbana, among other luxury goods.

The indictment includes evidence of Terry meeting with South Korean officials in Washington, DC, where she received items from upscale stores, including a $3,450 Louis Vuitton handbag and a $2,950 Bottega Veneta handbag, among others.

According to the charges, Terry confessed to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) that she served as a source of information for South Korean intelligence, which included passing confidential notes from a closed-door meeting with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken in June 2022.

The indictment specifically accuses Terry of failing to register under the Foreign Agents Registration Act and conspiring to violate the law by not disclosing her activities on behalf of South Korea.

Terry’s defense attorney, Lee Wolosky, refuted the allegations, asserting that they misrepresent Terry’s work as an independent scholar and analyst, emphasizing her critical stance towards the South Korean government during the periods in question.

South Korea’s National Intelligence Service has acknowledged contact with US authorities regarding the indictment, which also outlines Terry’s background as a naturalized US citizen born in Seoul, raised in Virginia and Hawaii, and who held prominent positions in the US government and think tanks like the National Intelligence Council and the Council on Foreign Relations.

The Council on Foreign Relations announced that Terry has been placed on unpaid administrative leave and affirmed willingness to cooperate with any investigations stemming from the charges, as reported by Reuters.