Sue Mi Terry, who served as a government employee from 2001 to 2011, is accused of passing on confidential information and lobbying on behalf of South Korea.

According to the indictment filed in a New York federal court, Terry allegedly began her role as a "secret agent" in 2013, two years after leaving her US government position, and continued it for a decade. In return, she was treated to extravagant meals at Michelin-starred restaurants and received luxury items including handbags worth thousands of dollars.

The charges include allegations that Terry's South Korean handlers secretly sent $37,000 to a think tank where she worked on a public policy program related to Korea. The indictment also features security camera photos of Terry meeting with South Korean officials in Washington, DC, where she received gifts from high-end stores, such as a $3,450 Louis Vuitton handbag, a $2,950 Bottega Veneta handbag, and a $2,845 Dolce & Gabbana coat.

The indictment reveals that Terry admitted to the FBI her role as a source of information for South Korean intelligence. This included passing handwritten notes from a confidential meeting with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken regarding government policy on North Korea, which took place in June 2022.

Terry is now facing charges for failing to register under the Foreign Agents Registration Act and conspiring to violate that law. Prosecutors argue that despite engaging in extensive activities on behalf of South Korea, Terry failed to register as a foreign agent.

In response to the charges, Terry's lawyer, Lee Wolosky, denies the allegations, stating that they are "unfounded" and distort the work Terry did as an independent scholar and analyst. Wolosky claims that she was a vocal critic of the South Korean government during the period in which the charges allege she was acting on its behalf.

The National Intelligence Service of South Korea has confirmed that it is in contact with its US counterpart regarding the indictment. Additionally, the Council on Foreign Relations, one of the think tanks Terry worked for, has placed her on unpaid administrative leave and has stated its willingness to cooperate with any investigation.

Sue Mi Terry, a naturalized US citizen who was born in Seoul, South Korea, and raised in Virginia and Hawaii, held various positions within the US government, including the role of deputy national intelligence officer for East Asia at the National Intelligence Council.

As the case unfolds, the spotlight will be on Terry's alleged collaboration with South Korea and the consequences she may face if found guilty of the charges brought against her.