NEW YORK, October 14, 2026 — The U.S. Justice Department has agreed to abandon its planned prosecution of former CIA analyst Sue Mi Terry, who was accused of acting as an unregistered agent for South Korea, according to court documents reported by The Associated Press.

Federal prosecutors agreed to defer the case for one year and dismiss the charges if Terry avoids further legal trouble. The decision came weeks before her scheduled trial in federal court in Manhattan.

Terry, an expert on North Korea and East Asian affairs, had maintained her innocence. Prosecutors had alleged that she shared nonpublic government information, facilitated access between South Korean officials and U.S. officials, and accepted luxury gifts in exchange for promoting South Korean government positions.

As part of the agreement, Terry signed a document acknowledging certain facts, including sharing notes from a private 2022 meeting with then-Secretary of State Antony Blinken. Her lawyer said she had served U.S. interests through her work.

Why it matters: The decision raises questions about federal prosecution policy, foreign-agent registration rules, and national security enforcement. Prosecutors did not provide a detailed public explanation for the agreement.

The case highlights the legal and diplomatic sensitivities surrounding foreign influence and access to confidential government information.