Sue Mi Terry, a former CIA analyst and the spouse of prominent Washington Post columnist Max Boot faces charges for espionage-related activities.
According to Mediaite, the allegations suggest Terry acted as a covert agent for South Korea, a role she purportedly held from 2013 without appropriate registration.
The indictment, filed in Manhattan federal court, accuses Terry of leveraging her position to subtly push South Korea’s policy agenda through influential channels. Specifically, she allegedly used her platform at the Washington Post, among other outputs, to disseminate favorable opinions sourced from South Korean officials.
Over the last decade, Terry reportedly received numerous luxury items as bribes from South Korean intelligence. These included high-end handbags from Bottega Veneta and Louis Vuitton and a pricy coat from Dolce & Gabbana. She also enjoyed meals at various Michelin-starred restaurants, all expensed by her covert contacts.
Adding to the complex narrative, security footage from 2019 and 2021 purportedly captured Terry purchasing these luxury items in the presence of South Korean handlers.
Besides the tangible gifts, Terry allegedly accepted over $37,000 to fund a public policy initiative specializing in Korean affairs. This program, while educational in scope, is said to have also served as a front for her unauthorized activities under South Korean direction.
The revelations of these charges have had immediate professional implications for Terry. The Council on Foreign Affairs, where she served as a senior fellow, has placed her on unpaid administrative leave pending further investigation.
Lee Wolosky, Terry’s attorney, has vigorously denied the charges. He presented the following detailed opposition to the allegations:
The accusations are unfounded and distort the work of a scholar and news analyst known for her independence and years of service to the United States. These charges misrepresent Sue Mi Terry's profound commitment to objective and independent analysis and scholarship.
This intellectual controversy throws a sharp spotlight on the intersection of journalism, foreign policy advocacy, and legal boundaries set by the Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA). Through FARA, the U.S. government seeks to track and manage foreign influence on domestic politics and public opinion.
Significantly, one editorial co-authored by Terry and her husband, Max Boot—who has not been charged—came under scrutiny for failing to disclose the influence or involvement of the South Korean government. This has raised concerns about transparency and the ethical obligations of journalists and scholars with access to the mainstream media.
As this international espionage drama continues to unravel, the implications for governmental transparency and the integrity of public discourse remain profound. The charges against Sue Mi Terry highlight a critical storyline involving information manipulation, covert international agendas, and the often unseen forces shaping public perception and policy.
Sue Mi Terry, a former CIA analyst and wife of columnist Max Boot has been charged with espionage for allegedly acting as an unregistered agent for South Korea since 2013. The charges state that Terry used her influence to promote South Korea's policy agenda subtly through media and public appearances.
Additionally, she is accused of accepting bribes, including luxury goods and money, to support a public policy initiative while supposedly advancing South Korean interests. Her attorney, Lee Wolosky, denies these allegations, emphasizing Terry's commitment to independent analysis and dismissing the charges as distortions of her professional activities.
