A former CIA analyst, Sue Mi Terry, has been charged with spying for South Korea in exchange for designer goods. Court documents and social media evidence reveal that Terry enlisted her columnist husband, Max Boot, to co-write propaganda articles for her alleged handlers. Terry, a prominent expert on North Korea, has been a frequent guest on major news networks such as MSNBC, CNN, and Fox News, granting her extensive access to national media organizations.
The federal indictment, unsealed on Tuesday, alleges that Terry began meeting with an unidentified “handler” in 2013. The handler is said to have treated her to lavish dinners at Michelin-starred restaurants in New York and Washington, as well as purchasing luxury handbags from brands like Bottega Veneta and Louis Vuitton. Terry is also accused of receiving tens of thousands of dollars to host a “happy hour” in Washington, where South Korean intelligence agents mingled with US officials.
According to the indictment, Terry advocated for 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 charges against Terry raise questions about her credibility as an analyst and her involvement in shaping public opinion through media appearances and opinion pieces.
When approached for comment, Terry denied being a foreign agent and stated that her lawyers are working on her defense. Her attorneys have not responded to further requests for comment. Boot, who is also a member of the Council on Foreign Relations, has not provided any comments on the matter.
Terry’s prosecution follows the recent conviction of New Jersey Senator Robert Menendez on corruption and bribery charges, including acting as a foreign agent for Egypt and Qatar. Legal experts suggest that the Department of Justice has become more aggressive in pursuing unregistered agents, as demonstrated by recent cases involving individuals like casino mogul Steve Wynn and rapper Prakazrel “Pras” Michel.
The key element in Terry’s case will be whether she “willfully” acted as a foreign agent without registering under the Foreign Agents’ Registration Act (FARA). The indictment highlights that Terry had been reminded of FARA reporting requirements on multiple occasions, including before her congressional testimonies. Prosecutors may also consider issuing superseding indictments regarding Boot’s co-authorship of the columns.
The Washington Post, where Terry and Boot published opinion pieces, has added an explanatory note to their articles, acknowledging the federal indictment against Terry. The newspaper stated that it is reviewing the indictment and refrained from further comment.
Terry and Boot’s op-eds, which echoed South Korean government positions, have raised concerns about journalistic integrity and the disclosure of potential conflicts of interest. In the past, Boot has faced criticism for failing to disclose his close relationship with subjects he wrote about, as was the case during his involvement with Mitt Romney’s campaign.
