[New York Diary] U.S. Issues Warning Against Foreign Government Lobbying Ahead of Presidential Election

Recently, New York has been embroiled in controversy due to a corruption scandal involving Mayor Eric Adams. Adams, the city’s second-ever Black mayor and a former police officer, was elected on a platform of crime reduction. However, last month, prosecutors indicted him on multiple criminal charges, pushing him to the brink of resignation. He faces five charges, including illegal campaign fundraising, bribery, and electronic financial fraud. According to the indictment, Mayor Adams received illegal campaign funds from the Turkish government and was granted special privileges such as airfare and hotel accommodations. Since the United States strictly prohibits foreign governments and organizations from providing campaign funds, if these allegations against Adams are proven true, the repercussions are expected to be significant. U.S. investigative authorities are also examining Adams’s connections with five other countries in addition to Turkey, and South Korea is among them.

As the U.S. presidential election approaches in November, the country has heightened its vigilance against foreign attempts to influence domestic policy. A series of indictments have been brought against figures in American politics and academia. Last month, Linda Sun, a Chinese-American former New York State official, was arrested on suspicion of being a Chinese spy but was later released on bail. Even allied nations are not exempt from U.S. scrutiny. Three months ago, in July, Sumi Terry, a Korean-American North Korea expert and former CIA analyst, was indicted for allegedly acting as an illegal agent of the South Korean government. Terry reportedly arranged meetings between current and former U.S. government officials at the request of a National Intelligence Service executive and received luxury handbags and research funds in return. Bob Menendez, the former chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, was also found guilty of acting as an agent for the Egyptian government.

The common charge against Sun, Terry, and Menendez is violation of the Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA). This law requires U.S. residents working for the policies and interests of foreign governments, organizations, or companies to register with the Department of Justice and report their activities in detail. While lobbying itself is permitted, the law aims to increase transparency. Enacted in 1938, FARA had become largely dormant until it was strengthened in the wake of the 2016 “Russia scandal,” when Russia interfered in the U.S. presidential election. Recently, among Korean-Americans in the United States, there are concerns that, following the Terry case and the investigation into Mayor Adams’s alleged illicit dealings with Turkey and connections to South Korea, public diplomacy activities could be curtailed. If Korean residents in the U.S. are perceived as working for the South Korean government rather than for their own interests or universal values, not only could they face severe punishment, but it may also become difficult for them to engage in any activities in the United States going forward.

This year’s U.S. presidential election is drawing global attention. Given the enormous impact the election outcome has on international affairs and the interests of various countries, nations around the world are investing significant effort in lobbying the United States. However, with the U.S. becoming increasingly sensitive to the actions of foreign governments, and with South Korea frequently mentioned in local news, there are growing concerns that the South Korean government’s public diplomacy efforts may be hindered. Strengthening public diplomacy is essential for expanding South Korea’s influence in the United States and the international community. With four Korean-American members currently serving in the U.S. House of Representatives and the likely election of the first-ever Korean-American U.S. senator this year, building alliances with them is also important. However, all of this must be based on strict compliance with U.S. law. As the U.S. presidential election approaches, a more sophisticated and considerate approach is needed to ensure that leading Korean-American figures and residents who serve as bridges between South Korea and the United States are not discouraged from their activities.