Former director of the National Security of Korea Suh Hoon arrives at Incheon International Airport after the visit to U.S., Oct. 17, 2020. Newsis

The office of President Yoon Suk Yeol said Thursday it will consider inspecting and reprimanding officials of the preceding Moon Jae-in administration after an American expert was charged with collaborating with South Korean intelligence officers.

Sue Mi Terry, a renowned foreign policy expert who previously worked for the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency, the National Security Council and U.S. think tanks, was indicted this week on charges of acting as an unregistered agent for the Korean government.

Terry is alleged to have publicly advocated for Korea's policy positions, disclosed non-public U.S. government information to Korean intelligence officers and enabled Seoul officials to gain access to U.S. government officials. In return, she allegedly received luxury handbags, expensive meals and thousands of dollars in funding for her public policy program.

"If we were to inspect or reprimand anyone, we would have to inspect or reprimand the Moon Jae-in administration," a senior presidential official told reporters when asked if a government inspection is under way into the indictment's exposure of National Intelligence Service officers.

"It's a good point, and we will consider it," the official added.

According to the indictment, Terry's collaboration with Korean intelligence officers began in 2013 and continued until around June last year. (Yonhap)