Summary
A 42-year-old naturalized U.S. citizen, originally from South Korea, was denied a security clearance under Guideline B (Foreign Influence). The denial stemmed from unmitigated security concerns related to her foreign contacts, particularly those employed by the South Korean government.
The Statement of Reasons highlighted several connections: her mother, a permanent U.S. resident who had not applied for U.S. citizenship; her children, who hold dual U.S. and South Korean citizenship; and several relatives in South Korea. Among these South Korean relatives were a cousin whose husband works for the South Korean government and another relative employed by the South Korean embassy. These contacts raised disqualifying conditions under Adjudicative Guideline (AG) ¶ 7(a) and AG ¶ 7(b).
Despite the application of mitigating conditions under AG ¶ 8(a), AG ¶ 8(b), AG ¶ 8(c), and AG ¶ 8(e), the applicant failed to overcome the security risks. Key factors in the denial included her failure to report foreign contacts, including a relative working for a foreign government, until prompted during a background interview. Additionally, the applicant disclosed sensitive job information to foreign relatives, which could have alerted them to her access to classified information.
Why the Applicant Was Denied
- The applicant did not mitigate security concerns raised by her connections to foreign relatives employed by the South Korean government.
- The applicant failed to report her foreign contacts, including a relative working for a foreign government, until prompted during a background interview.
- The applicant disclosed sensitive job information to foreign relatives, which could alert them to her access to classified information.
Conditions Referenced
- AG ¶ 7(a)raisedContact with Foreign Family MembersContact with a foreign family member creates a heightened risk of foreign exploitation.
- AG ¶ 7(b)raisedConnections to Foreign PersonsConnections to foreign persons create a potential conflict of interest.
- AG ¶ 8(a)rejectedNature of Relationships with Foreign PersonsThe nature of the applicant's relationships with foreign persons does not mitigate the security concerns.
- AG ¶ 8(b)rejectedNo Conflict of InterestThe applicant did not establish that her loyalty to the U.S. outweighed her connections to foreign relatives.
- AG ¶ 8(c)rejectedCasual and Infrequent ContactThe applicant's contact with foreign relatives is not casual or infrequent enough to mitigate risks.
- AG ¶ 8(e)rejectedPrompt Compliance with Reporting RequirementsThe applicant failed to comply with reporting requirements regarding foreign contacts.
Key Rule Quoted
“An individual is not automatically disqualified from holding a security clearance because they have connections and contacts in a foreign country.”
Procedural Posture
- SOR issuedAug 22, 2015
- Answer filedJan 19, 2016
- Hearing held—Decision based on written record.
- Decision dateAug 16, 2016
Cite For
- Foreign Influence Concerns Under Guideline B
- Failure to Report Foreign Contacts as a Disqualifying Factor
- Disclosure of Sensitive Information to Foreign Relatives as a Risk Factor