Ex-Government Official Accused of Acting as Unregistered Foreign Agent

(RepublicanPress.org) – From 2001 to around 2011, Sue Mi Terry worked in the US government. Her positions reportedly included working for the CIA as an analyst on East Asian issues and as a director for Korea, Japan, and Oceanic Affairs for the White House National Security Council. Terry was also a deputy national intelligence officer for East Asia for the National Intelligence Council. Now, she’s facing federal charges.

On July 17, the Department of Justice revealed that Terry was arrested and charged with violating the Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA). According to the indictment, the former federal employee worked for the Republic of Korea (ROK) government after leaving her position in the US government. However, she reportedly failed to register as a foreign agent with the attorney general, a violation of the law.

Sue Mi Terry, a former CIA and White House NSC employee, was indicted on charges of advocating South Korean policies, disclosing non-public US information, and facilitating access for South Korean officials in exchange for luxury goods https://t.co/be3EQnARX4 pic.twitter.com/MOxWfwiG2R

— Reuters Legal (@ReutersLegal) July 17, 2024

The DOJ believes that Terry also advocated for ROK policy, gave non-public information about the US government to ROK officers, and gave South Korean officials access to US government officials. In exchange, the former US federal employee was treated to lavish gifts from ROK intelligence officers and given tens of thousands of dollars in funding for a program she controlled that deals with Korean affairs.

The indictment also revealed that Terry admitted to the FBI in 2023 that she was a key “source” of intel for the ROK National Intelligence Service. One example shared involved a US Secretary-level official. After an off-the-record meeting with this individual in 2022, Terry gave the information she gathered to a ROK NIS point of contact. She then allegedly held a party for congressional staff members and allowed her handler to pose as a diplomat to mingle with the guests.

Terry was reportedly born in Seoul, raised in Virginia, and lives in New York. If found guilty of the charges against her for violating FARA, Terry could serve up to 10 years in federal prison.