A foreign policy specialist with an esteemed record in U.S. government service has been indicted on charges alleging that she acted as an unregistered agent for the South Korean government. The indictment, which was made public on Tuesday in Manhattan federal court, presents serious allegations against Sue Mi Terry, a former CIA analyst and National Security Council (NSC) official. It accuses her of accepting luxury goods and various incentives from South Korean intelligence officers in return for her advocacy and assistance.

The indictment details that Terry, who had left her U.S. government roles two years prior, allegedly began her work on behalf of South Korea’s government in 2013. During this period, she is accused of promoting South Korean policy positions, disclosing sensitive and nonpublic U.S. government information to South Korean intelligence officers, and facilitating access for South Korean officials to their American counterparts.

In exchange for these services, the indictment alleges that Terry received an assortment of high-value items, including Bottega Veneta and Louis Vuitton handbags, a Dolce & Gabbana coat, and lavish dinners at Michelin-starred restaurants. Additionally, she is said to have received more than $37,000 in covert funding intended for a public policy program focused on Korean affairs that she managed.

Surveillance camera footage included in the indictment reportedly shows Terry waiting for or carrying gift bags while South Korean intelligence officers made purchases at high-end establishments such as Bottega Veneta and Louis Vuitton in Washington, D.C., in 2019 and 2021, respectively.

The indictment claims that Terry’s alleged covert activities continued for a decade, even after the FBI had warned her in 2014 about the possibility of South Korean intelligence officers attempting covert payments for her services. Despite these warnings, the indictment asserts that her activities as an agent of the South Korean government persisted without interruption.

Currently, Terry holds a position as a senior fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations (CFR), where she is recognized for her expertise on East Asia and the Korean Peninsula, with a specific focus on North Korea. In response to the indictment, the CFR has placed Terry on unpaid administrative leave and has committed to fully cooperating with any ongoing investigations. A CFR spokesperson emphasized the organization’s dedication to transparency and adherence to legal and ethical standards.

Terry’s attorney, Lee Wolosky, has strongly denied the charges, characterizing them as unfounded and a misrepresentation of her professional work. In a statement, Wolosky argued that Terry, known for her critical stance on the South Korean government during the time period in question, was an independent commentator and that a thorough review of the facts will reveal a significant mistake by the government.

The indictment also mentions that Terry has written numerous opinion pieces at the request of South Korean officials, including a notable instance in April 2023 when she received $500 for an article praising the results of a summit between Presidents Joe Biden and Yoon Suk Yeol, which was published in a South Korean newspaper.

Terry, originally from Seoul and later relocated to Virginia, has had a distinguished career in U.S. government service. She served as a senior CIA analyst from 2001 to 2008 and as the director of Korean, Japan, and Oceanic Affairs at the NSC from 2008 to 2009 under Presidents George W. Bush and Barack Obama. Residing in New York, Terry has frequently appeared on television, radio, and podcasts and has provided testimony before Congressional panels on several occasions.

The indictment charges Terry with failing to register under the Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA) and conspiring to violate this law. It cites her acknowledgment in a voluntary FBI interview conducted in June 2023, where she reportedly admitted to being a “source” for South Korea’s intelligence service, implying that she provided valuable information.

As the legal proceedings progress, the ramifications of this case could have broader implications for the perception of foreign influence and lobbying practices within U.S. government circles and the wider realm of international relations. South Korea has not been named as a defendant in this case, and the South Korean embassy in Washington, Seoul’s National Intelligence Service, and foreign ministry have not yet responded to requests for comment. Similarly, the office of U.S. Attorney Damian Williams in Manhattan has not provided immediate responses to inquiries regarding the case.