South Korean Spy Arrested By FBI
Buckle up because we’ve got a doozy of a story today. It seems the twists and turns of political intrigue just keep on coming. In a scenario reminiscent of Eric Swalwell’s past controversies, a prominent Washington Post columnist finds himself entangled in a shocking espionage case.
Meet Max Boot, a Moscow-born writer known for his vocal criticisms of former President Donald Trump, even accusing him of being a Russian asset. Boot’s wife, Sue Mi Terry, has been arrested and charged with acting as an unregistered agent of South Korea. The allegations are as dramatic as they come, involving secret spying, luxury bribes, and high-stakes international intrigue.
Terry, who previously worked for the CIA and served on the National Security Council under Presidents Obama and Bush, is accused of selling U.S. intelligence, enabling access to high-ranking officials, and pushing pro-South Korean propaganda. In return, she allegedly received expensive gifts, including designer handbags and lavish dinners. The indictment details how Terry allegedly masked covert payments by depositing them into an unrestricted account at her think tank.
It’s even funnier when you realize Boot is a columnist specializing in “national security” specifically. pic.twitter.com/pfwYsHR8BV
— T. Becket Adams (@BecketAdams) July 17, 2024
The arrest has sent shockwaves through the political and media landscapes. Boot, a columnist for The Washington Post, has co-authored several pieces with Terry, often praising President Joe Biden’s foreign policy achievements. One of their articles, now flagged in the indictment, was allegedly influenced by South Korean intelligence officers.
The charges against Terry include conspiracy to violate the Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA) and failing to register under FARA. If convicted, she faces up to 10 years in prison. The indictment includes damning evidence, such as surveillance footage of Terry on shopping sprees with her handler and text messages coordinating her pro-ROK articles.
The scandal has raised questions about journalistic ethics and transparency. The Washington Post acknowledged that they “did not disclose Korean government involvement” in the article in question. Critics argue that this lack of disclosure undermines the credibility of the press, especially given the intense scrutiny placed on other political figures.
As I write in @PostOpinions, if Trump isn’t a Russian agent, he’s doing a pretty good imitation of one: https://t.co/jNI2krCF4Z https://t.co/EBIUsLpfUD
— Max Boot 🇺🇦🇺🇸 (@MaxBoot) January 14, 2019
Adding another layer to the intrigue, Terry allegedly confessed to the FBI that she was a “source” for South Korea’s National Intelligence Service. She admitted to resigning from the CIA “in lieu of termination” due to concerns over her South Korean contacts.
Max Boot, who has not been charged in connection with the espionage activities, remains a senior fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations. Terry, however, has been placed on unpaid administrative leave from the think tank.
The FBI’s investigation into Terry began as early as 2014, with agents tracking her activities and gathering evidence of her alleged espionage. The indictment details how Terry hosted events funded by South Korean intelligence, allowing agents to “spot and assess” potential recruits among U.S. congressional staffers.
In response to the charges, Terry’s lawyer, Lee Wolosky, insists that the allegations are unfounded and distort her work as a scholar and news analyst. He maintains that she was a harsh critic of the South Korean government and that the government has made a significant mistake in pursuing this case.
This revelation comes as former President Trump prepares to officially accept the 2024 Republican nomination. The timing and nature of these events add another layer of complexity to the already tumultuous political climate.