An unnamed woman was denied a top-secret security clearance due to being a “close” relative of a dictator from an unnamed hostile country. The administrative judge determined that her connection to the dictator created a conflict of interest and a heightened risk of foreign exploitation. The woman, who is in her 30s and married to an American citizen, has been working for defense contractors for several years and is a US citizen. The family immigrated to the US in the 1990s and changed their names to avoid retaliation.
The woman already holds a secret security clearance with no reported issues regarding the handling of sensitive information. The administrative judge, Edward Loughran, acknowledged her positive attributes such as intelligence, loyalty, honesty, and professionalism. However, he ultimately decided to deny her eligibility for a top-secret clearance due to her family connections to the dictator. Loughran noted in the document that it was a difficult decision, as the woman had shown no signs of being coerced or intimidated to reveal classified information.
The records suggest that the woman’s background could be tied to North Korea, one of the four countries listed by the US as sponsors of state terrorism. Previous instances of North Korean defectors, such as Kim Jong Un’s aunt and her children who immigrated to the US in 1998, may provide further context to the case. The judge emphasized the risk associated with giving the woman a top-secret clearance, considering the potential for exploitation and coercion by her connections to the dictator and the hostile country.
The application for clearance was submitted in October 2023, and the case was decided in January. The details in the documents were intentionally vague to protect the woman’s identity. Despite the rejection of her top-secret clearance request, the judge highlighted the woman’s positive attributes and loyalty to the US. Military sociologist Marek Posard noted that circumstances surrounding security clearances can change over time, prompting a reassessment of the level of risk associated with the clearance.
Posard highlighted the importance of considering potential risks associated with an individual’s network when evaluating security clearance eligibility. He emphasized that the decision to deny the woman a top-secret clearance was not a reflection of her actions, but rather a precautionary measure to prevent potential exploitation by the hostile country. Ultimately, the rejection was based on the level of risk the US was willing to accept in granting the clearance. Posard emphasized the need to anticipate and mitigate potential threats that could arise from an individual’s connections, regardless of their personal attributes.
