Former CIA Official Sue Mi Terry Indicted for Acting as Unregistered Foreign Agent

In a significant legal development, Damian Williams, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York, and Christie M. Curtis, Acting Assistant Director in Charge of the FBI’s New York Field Office, announced the unsealing of an indictment against Sue Mi Terry. The charges allege violations of the Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA). Terry, a former CIA and White House employee, was arrested on July 16, 2024, and subsequently presented before U.S. Magistrate Judge Robert W. Lehrburger. The case is assigned to U.S. District Judge Lorna G. Schofield.

The indictment reveals that Sue Mi Terry, after leaving U.S. government service, operated as an unregistered agent for South Korea for over a decade. She allegedly disclosed non-public U.S. government information to South Korean intelligence officers and used her influence to advocate for South Korean policy positions within the United States. In exchange for her services, Terry reportedly received luxury goods, expensive meals, and substantial funding for her public policy program.

Terry served in various high-level roles from 2001 to 2011, including as an analyst on East Asian issues for the CIA and as Director for Korea, Japan, and Oceanic Affairs for the White House National Security Council. Post-2011, She allegedly continued her activities as an agent for South Korea, without registering as required by FARA. Terry purportedly provided South Korean officials with access to U.S. government personnel and shared sensitive information. She is further accused of receiving luxury items such as handbags and coats, expensive meals, and over $37,000 in funding for her policy program.

U.S. Attorney Damian Williams commented on the gravity of the allegations, emphasizing that Terry’s actions undermined national security by providing foreign intelligence officers with access and information. He highlighted the importance of adherence to FARA to prevent similar breaches of trust and integrity within public policy roles.

FBI Acting Assistant Director Christie M. Curtis stressed that Terry’s alleged activities posed a severe threat to national security. She reiterated the FBI’s commitment to pursuing and apprehending individuals who engage in such conduct, emphasizing the detrimental impact on national defense and public safety.

Sue Mi Terry, 54, faces two counts: one of conspiracy to violate FARA and another of failure to register under FARA, each carrying a maximum sentence of five years in prison. The case underscores the seriousness of compliance with foreign agent registration laws and the stringent penalties for violations.

This case is being handled by the National Security and International Narcotics Unit, with significant investigative support from various divisions of the FBI and the Department of Justice’s National Security Division. The charges against Terry are accusations, and she is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.