Former CIA Analyst Indicted for Acting as a Spy for South Korea

A former US Central Intelligence Agency analyst, Sue Mi Terry, has been indicted by a New York grand jury for allegedly acting as a spy for the South Korean government. The charges include failing to register as a foreign agent and conspiracy to violate the Foreign Agents Registration Act.

Terry, a former senior official for the White House National Security Council and a prominent US expert on North Korea, is accused of receiving luxury goods and fancy meals in exchange for advocating South Korean government positions. The allegations were made public in court documents filed in the Southern District of New York.

The Council on Foreign Relations, where Terry works as a senior fellow on Asia, has placed her on unpaid leave and removed her biography from its website. Her attorney, Lee Wolosky, has denied the charges, stating that they are unfounded and distort Terry’s years of service to the United States.

Terry, who was born in South Korea and later moved to the US, has an extensive background in international relations. She holds a doctorate from the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University and has held various positions, including at the CIA and the National Security Council.

Prosecutors allege that Terry began working as an agent for the South Korean government in 2013, after leaving her government positions. They claim she received luxury gifts, including a Dolce & Gabbana coat and a Louis Vuitton handbag, as well as substantial sums of money, which were hidden through a gift fund at the think tank where she worked.

The indictment comes amidst heightened scrutiny of foreign influence in US politics, following the conviction of Democratic Senator Robert Menendez for similar charges. The Justice Department has emphasized the importance of transparency in disclosing relationships with foreign governments to Congress.

South Korea’s National Intelligence Service has stated that it is closely monitoring the situation and coordinating with US authorities. The case has raised concerns about the potential for foreign interference in US policy-making and the need for greater oversight of individuals with access to sensitive information.