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Sue Mi Terry

Sue Mi Terry, the wife of Washington Post national security columnist Max Boot, was charged with offenses under the Foreign Agents Registration Act (“FARA”). Terry was arrested on July 16, 2024, in New York, New York, and presented before U.S. Magistrate Judge Robert W. Lehrburger. The case is assigned to U.S. District Judge Lorna G. Schofield. Boot put up their tony Upper West Side apartment as collateral for her $500,000 personal recognizance bond as a condition of her release before trial. The six-room, $1.8 million turn-of-the-century home features lavish wood paneling, built-in bookcase, stained glass windows and airy 10-foot ceilings, according to its StreetEasy listing.

Her lawyer, Lee Wolosky, the co-Chair of Jenner & Block's Litigation Department, is a widely recognized counselor to Presidents, CEOs, governments, media leaders, and entertainment figures. Wolosky contended in a statement that the “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.” He said she had not held a security clearance for more than a decade and her views have been consistent. “In fact, she was a harsh critic of the South Korean government during times this indictment alleges that she was acting on its behalf,” he said. “Once the facts are made clear it will be evident the government made a significant mistake.”

U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said: “As alleged, Sue Mi Terry, a former CIA and White House employee, subverted foreign agent registration laws in order to provide South Korean intelligence officers with access, information, and advocacy. Terry allegedly sold out her positions and influence to the South Korean government in return for luxury handbags, expensive meals, and thousands of dollars of funding for her public policy program. The charges brought should send a clear message to those in public policy who may be tempted to sell their expertise to a foreign government to think twice and ensure you are in accordance with the law.”

Dr. Terry holds a Ph.D. in International Relations from the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy, Tufts University (2001). Her doctoral dissertation was on “Park Chung Hee’s Korea, 1961-1979: A Study in Political Leadership and Statecraft.” She also holds a Master of Arts in International Law and Diplomacy from the Fletcher School (1998), and Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from New York University (1993). A native of South Korea who moved to the United States at age 12, Dr. Terry spent a year studying abroad at Yonsei University in Seoul (1991-1992). She regularly lectures in both Korean and English.

FBI Acting Assistant Director in Charge Christie M. Curtis said: “Compromising national security endangers every American by weakening our defenses and putting lives at risk. Sue Mi Terry, a former CIA and White House official, was arrested for allegedly acting as an unregistered agent for South Korea. For over a decade, despite repeated warnings, Terry allegedly exploited her think tank roles to advance a foreign agenda. As alleged, she disclosed sensitive U.S. government information to South Korean intelligence and used her position to influence U.S. policy in favor of South Korea… for money and luxury gifts. Her alleged actions posed a severe threat to national security. This arrest sends a clear message: the FBI will pursue and arrest anyone who endangers our nation’s security by collaborating with foreign spies.”

After leaving U.S. government service and for more than a decade, Terry worked as an agent of the government of the Republic of Korea (“ROK”), commonly known as South Korea, without registering as a foreign agent with the Attorney General, as required by law. As covertly directed by ROK government officials, Terry publicly advocated ROK policy positions, disclosed non-public U.S. government information to ROK intelligence officers, and enabled ROK officials to gain access to U.S. government officials. In return for these actions, ROK intelligence officers provided Terry with luxury goods, expensive dinners, and more than $37,000 in funding for a public policy program focusing on Korean affairs that Terry controlled.

From in or about 2001 to in or about 2011, Terry served in a series of positions in the U.S. government, including as an analyst on East Asian issues for the Central Intelligence Agency, as the Director for Korea, Japan, and Oceanic Affairs for the White House National Security Council, and as the Deputy National Intelligence Officer for East Asia at the National Intelligence Council. Since leaving government service in or about 2011, Terry has worked at academic institutions and think tanks in New York City and Washington, DC.

A "think tank," or policy institute, is a research institute that provides expertise and insight concerning topics such as global affairs to policymakers and the public through research, analysis, and scholarship. Think tanks, including those for which Terry worked, often present themselves as independent sources of expertise.

Terry has made media appearances, published articles, and hosted conferences as a policy expert specializing in, among other things, South Korea, North Korea, and various regional issues impacting Asia. Terry has also testified before Congress on at least three occasions regarding the U.S. government’s policy toward Korea.

On at least three occas10ns between 2016 and 2022, Sue Mi Terry, the defendant, testified before the U.S. House of Representatives regarding the U.S. Government's Korean policy. Each time, Terry had to complete "Truth in Testimony" disclosure forms, which required Terry to answer whether she was an "active registrant under the Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA)." Each time, Terry correctly answered that she was not an active registrant, demonstrating, among other things, Terry' s awareness of FARA and FARA' s registration requirement. During this time period, Terry was, in fact, acting as an agent of the ROK without having registered with the Attorney General. As a result, Congress did not have the opportunity to fairly evaluate TERR Y's testimony in light of her longstanding efforts for the ROK Government and its intelligence service.

Since leaving U.S. government service, Terry served as a valuable source of information for the ROK National Intelligence Service (“ROK NIS”), the ROK’s primary intelligence agency. For example, in or about June 2022, Terry participated in a private, off-the-record group meeting with the U.S. Secretary of State regarding the U.S. government’s policy toward North Korea. Immediately after the meeting, Terry’s primary ROK NIS point of contact, or “handler,” picked up Terry in a car bearing ROK Embassy diplomatic license plates. While in the car, Terry provided her handler detailed handwritten notes of her meeting with the U.S. Secretary of State. Terry’s handler photographed the notes while sitting in the car with Terry.

Weeks later, at the request of her ROK NIS handler, Terry hosted a happy hour for Congressional staff. Although the happy hour was under the auspices of the think tank where Terry worked, the ROK NIS paid for it with Terry’s knowledge. Terry’s handler attended the event and posed as a diplomat, mingling with Congressional staff without disclosing that he was, in fact, an ROK intelligence officer.

The ROK government rewarded Terry for her services. For example, Terry’s ROK NIS handlers gifted her a $2,950 Bottega Veneta handbag and a $3,450 Louis Vuitton handbag, both of which Terry selected during shopping trips with her handlers. One of Terry’s ROK NIS handlers also gifted her a $2,845 Dolce & Gabbana coat.

In addition to luxury goods, Terry’s ROK NIS handlers provided her with expensive meals, including at Michelin-starred restaurants. Terry’s ROK NIS handlers also deposited approximately $37,000 into an unrestricted “gift” account that Terry controlled at the think tank where she worked. In addition, ROK government officials paid Terry to write articles in both the U.S. and Korean press conveying positions and phrases provided by the ROK government.

Terry, 54, of New York, New York, has been charged with one count of conspiracy to violate FARA, which carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison, and one count of failure to register under FARA, which carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison. The maximum potential sentences in this case are prescribed by Congress and any sentencing of the defendant will be determined by a judge.