Washington
A woman who once worked for the CIA has been indicted in the US on charges of working as an unregistered agent of South Korea government. Sue Mi Terry reportedly got luxuries and other gifts in exchange for the information she shared. The foreign policy specialist once also worked on the White House National Security Council (NSC).
As per the indictment, Sue advocated South Korean policy positions, disclosed nonpublic US government information to South Korean intelligence officers, and facilitated access for South Korean government officials to their US counterparts. The indictment was made public on July 16 in Manhattan federal court.
The indictment also charges Terry with failing to register under the Foreign Agents Registration Act.
South Korean intelligence officers allegedly rewarded her with luxury goods. The list of such gifts included Bottega Veneta and Louis Vuitton handbags and a Dolce & Gabbana coat. She also had dinners at Michelin-starred restaurants. Monetarily, she received US$37,000 (S$49,700) in "covert" funding for a public policy programme on Korean affairs.
In 2013, two years after she left US government employment, Sue allegedly started her work as a South Korean agent. Meanwhile, Terry's lawyer has dismissed reports of her being an agent.
"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," Terry's lawyer, Lee Wolosky, said in a statement.
"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," he added.
South Korea's Washington embassy and Terry herself haven't said anything on the matter.
Also Read: Biden calls Kamala Harris a potential 'president' candidate for United States
About Sue Mi Terry
Sue was born in Seoul and raised in Virginia. She frequently appears as a guest on TV, radio and podcasts. She has also testified multiple times before Congressional panels. Terry was a senior CIA analyst from 2001 to 2008, and director of Korean, Japan and Oceanic Affairs at the NSC from 2008 to 2009. These tenures came under Republican President George W. Bush and Democratic President Barack Obama.