On July 17, Sue Mi Terry, wife of Washington Post columnist Max Boot and a former CIA analyst, was indicted for acting as an unregistered agent for South Korea. The indictment, unsealed in the Southern District of New York, accuses Terry of covertly working for South Korea's National Intelligence Service (NIS) for over a decade, providing confidential U.S. government information and facilitating access to U.S. officials in exchange for luxury goods and financial incentives.
Terry's alleged espionage activities began after her departure from U.S. government service in 2011. She served in high-profile roles, including as an analyst on East Asian issues for the CIA and as the Director for Korea, Japan, and Oceanic Affairs at the White House National Security Council.
Max Boot has made a career out of calling people amoral and stupid.
Sue Mi Terry, his wife, was arrested a few days ago on accusations that she is a spy for South Korea. She and Boot put up their NYC apartment as collateral for the $500,000 bond. Her passport was revoked.
In… pic.twitter.com/hTBOuvxelC
— MAZE (@mazemoore) July 19, 2024
Post-government, she worked at various think tanks and academic institutions, maintaining a significant presence as a policy expert on Korean affairs.
The indictment details how Terry disclosed non-public U.S. government information to her NIS handlers and advocated for South Korean policy positions. In one instance, she provided her handler with handwritten notes from a private meeting with a U.S. Secretary-level official, a transaction completed in a car with diplomatic plates. Additionally, Terry organized events under the guise of her think tank work, which were funded by the NIS, facilitating mingling between NIS operatives and U.S. Congressional staff.
Column: Washington Post columnist Max Boot called Trump a foreign asset. Now his wife is indicted for just that, writes @michaelschaffer. https://t.co/lZl07dsGQ9
— POLITICO (@politico) August 2, 2024
In return, Terry received extravagant gifts, including designer handbags and coats, and enjoyed luxurious meals at high-end restaurants. Her handlers also deposited approximately $37,000 into a gift account controlled by Terry at her think tank.
Despite these allegations, the Justice Department emphasized that the charges are based on Terry’s failure to register as a foreign agent under the Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA), a law designed to ensure transparency in activities conducted on behalf of foreign entities within the U.S.
The ramifications of this case could be significant, potentially straining U.S.-South Korea relations. However, officials from both nations have expressed confidence that the long-standing alliance will endure this scandal.
Terry, married to Washington Post columnist Max Boot, is facing serious legal repercussions. The outcome of this high-profile case remains to be seen, with both legal and political communities closely monitoring its developments.
