Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Israeli media: Israeli political leadership decides to open Rafah crossing “as planned” and transfer aid to Gaza Strip.
Palestinian media: Three Palestinians were killed after being targeted by Israeli drone fire in the al-Shujaiya neighborhood east of Gaza City
Nicolas Maduro: The Palestinian cause is the most sacred cause for humanity, and we propose sending teams of builders, farmers, and doctors to Gaza to help the people
Al Mayadeen's correspondent in Lebanon: IOF infiltrate Khallet Wardeh towards the municipality in the town of Aita al-Shaab, south of Lebanon.
Leaders of the United States, Egypt, Qatar, and Turkey sign a ceasefire agreement in Gaza.
Trump arrives in Sharm el-Sheikh
Israeli PM's office: PM informed Trump he would not attend Sharm el-Sheikh Summit on account of Jewish holidays.
Israeli media: Netanyahu makes last-minute decision to cancel trip to Sharm el-Sheikh.
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: Large crowds gather in Khan Younis to welcome the liberated Palestinian detainees, waving flags of Hamas and Islamic Jihad in celebration
Buses of released prisoners arrive in Ramallah

Ex-WH, CIA official accused of working for S. Korea for luxury goods

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: Agencies
  • 17 Jul 2024 14:50
4 Min Read

The ex-White House official was indicted for promoting South Korean policy positions, disclosing confidential US government information, and facilitating connections between South Korean government officials and their US counterparts.

Listen
  • x
  • Sue Mi Terry at a screening of the documentary 'Beyond Utopia,' which she worked on as a producer | Image: ROK Ministry of Foreign Affairs, November 2023. (ROK Ministry of Foreign Affairs)
    Sue Mi Terry at a screening of the documentary 'Beyond Utopia,' which she worked on as a producer, November, 2023. (ROK Ministry of Foreign Affairs)

A US foreign policy specialist and former CIA and White House National Security Council (NSC) employee has been indicted on charges of allegedly working as a South Korean government agent in exchange for luxury goods and gifts.

Sue Mi Terry was charged with promoting South Korean policy positions, disclosing confidential US government information to South Korean intelligence officers, and connecting South Korean government officials with their US counterparts, according to a public indictment by the Manhattan federal court on Tuesday.

In exchange, she was allegedly granted Bottega Veneta and Louis Vuitton handbags, a Dolce & Gabbana coat, dinners at Michelin-starred restaurants, and over $37,000 in funding for a public policy program on Korean affairs that she managed, by the South Korean officers.

Terry was charged with failing to register under the Foreign Agents Registration Act and conspiring to violate that law. 

Terry's lawyer: Allegations are unfounded

The indictment also acknowledged Terry's admission that she was a "source" for the South Korean intelligence service during a voluntary FBI interview in 2023, “meaning that she provided valuable information.”

“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.

Related News

Trump eyes ban on Chinese cooking oil amid US soybean self-harm

US-China tariff war strains global economy: Erdogan

“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.

Two years after leaving the US federal service in 2013, Terry allegedly started working as an agent for the next decade. According to Council on Foreign Relations' website, she is a senior fellow there, specializing in East Asia and the Korean Peninsula, including North Korea. A representative for the Council on Foreign Relations stated that Terry has been placed on unpaid administrative leave and expressed their willingness to cooperate with any investigation.

Terry has appeared as a guest on several radio, television, and podcast shows, and has testified before congressional committees on multiple occasions, according to her website. The Seoul-born specialist worked for the National Security Council (NSC) under the administrations of both Republican President George W. Bush and Democratic President Barack Obama where she was a senior CIA analyst from 2001 to 2008, and the director of Korean, Japan, and Oceanic Affairs from 2008 to 2009.

Famed FBI agent imprisoned for USSR espionage 

Another instance of a federal agent working with foreign governments is the case of FBI agent Robert Hanssen.

Dubbed as the US' "most damaging spy in Bureau history”, Hanssen began his journey with the FBI as an agent, in 1976, and only three years later, he allegedly approached the Soviet Main Intelligence Directorate (GRU) offering himself as a spy agent.

Hanssen spied for the GRU from 1978 until 1981 when he was transferred to a different position that hindered his ability to spy for the Soviet Union. However, in 1985, after a second position transfer, Hanssen resumed his side hustle with the GRU.

Significantly, Hanssen gave the GRU lists of double agents known to the FBI, as well as a number of CIA assets and contacts. Furthermore, he delivered information on secret FBI tunnels beneath the USSR embassy in Washington DC and offered signals intelligence information.

Hanssen managed to avoid detection for years, in part due to the fact that worked in the bureau's unit that hunted double agents, but also because a large portion of his covert espionage operations coincided with those of Aldrich Ames, a CIA agent who also passed copious amounts of information to the Soviet Union, many of which were replicated by Hanssen, who was unaware of Ames' activities. 

The CIA argued that the only individual who harmed the agency more than Hanssen was Ames.

  • United States
  • South Korea
  • CIA
  • white house
  • indictment

Most Read

Iran strikes secret Israeli-US bunker under Tel Aviv high-rise

Tel Aviv high-rise struck by Iran hid Site 81, secret US-Israeli base

  • Politics
  • 14 Oct 2025
Palestinian journalist Saleh al-Jaafarawi in an undated image in Gaza, occupied Palestine (Social media)

Gaza Palestinian journalist Saleh al-Jafarawi killed by collaborators

  • Politics
  • 12 Oct 2025
Taylor Swift: The Life of a Showgirl

The Life of a No-Girl: The one verse Taylor Swift refuses to sing

  • Arts and Culture
  • 8 Oct 2025
drop site

New report details extensive Israeli arson in Gaza after ceasefire

  • Politics
  • 13 Oct 2025

Coverage

All
War on Gaza

Read Next

All
Freed Palestinian detainee al-Arida expresses gratitude to Al Mayadeen.
Politics

Freed Palestinian detainee Mahmoud al-Arida salutes Al Mayadeen

Prime Minister of Spain Pedro Sánchez gestures as he speaks at the Global Progress Action Summit, in London, Friday, September 26, 2025 (AP)
Politics

Spain to maintain arms embargo on ‘Israel’ despite ceasefire

Israeli excavators work in the Gaza Strip as the sun sets, seen from southern occupied Palestine, Tuesday, Oct. 14, 2025 (AP)
Politics

Palestinian clans condemn chaos in Gaza, back security forces

The sun sets behind buildings destroyed during the Israeli aggression in the northern Gaza Strip, as seen from southern occupied Palestine, Tuesday, October 14, 2025 (AP)
Politics

Israeli regime cuts Gaza aid to 300 trucks, blocks fuel and gas

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS