Former White House official accused of being a South Korean agent: USDOJ
NEW YORK (PIX11) -- A former Central Intelligence Agency analyst is facing accusations of secretly working as an agent of the Republic of Korea, according to the United States Department of Justice.
Sue Mi Terry, 54, of New York, was arrested Tuesday for failing to register under the Foreign Agents Registration Act and conspiracy to violate FARA, officials said.
Terry previously worked as an analyst for East Asia issues for the CIA, as the Director for Korea, Japan, and Oceanic Affairs for the White House National Security Council, and as the Deputy National Intelligence Officer for East Asia at the National Intelligence Council.
After leaving government positions in 2011, Terry worked as an agent for the ROK, officials said.
According to court documents, in 2023, Terry voluntarily told the FBI that she provided the ROK National Intelligence Service with non-public U.S. government information.
In exchange, Terry received luxury goods, a $2,950 Bottega Veneta handbag, a $3,450 Louis Vuitton handbag, and a $2,845 Dolce & Gabbana coat, officials said. The ROK also paid for expensive dinners at Michelin-star restaurants and funding for programs that Terry controlled.
Terry was also paid to write articles in the U.S. and Korean press that conveyed positions and phrases dictated by the ROK government, prosecutors said.
South Korea’s National Intelligence Service, its main spy agency, said Wednesday that intelligence authorities in South Korea and the U.S. are closely communicating over the case. South Korea’s Foreign Ministry separately said it was not appropriate to comment on a case that is under judicial proceedings in a foreign country.
Lee Wolosky, a lawyer for Terry, said in a statement that the “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.”
He said she had not held a security clearance for more than a decade and her views have been consistent.
“In fact, she was a harsh critic of the South Korean government during times this indictment alleges that she was acting on its behalf,” he said. “Once the facts are made clear it will be evident the government made a significant mistake.”
Terry faces up to 10 years in prison if convicted.
Ben Mitchell is a digital content producer from Vermont who has covered both local and international news since 2021. He joined PIX11 in 2024. See more of his work here.
The AP contributed to this story.