South Korea's former president Moon Jae-in faces bribery charges

Thursday 24 April 2025 - 08:38

By: Zahouani Ilham

South Korea's former president Moon Jae-in faces bribery charges

Former South Korean President Moon Jae-in has been formally charged with bribery, according to prosecutors. Moon, who served from 2017 to 2022 as a member of the centre-left Democratic Party, is accused of appointing a former lawmaker to a government-funded nonprofit organization in exchange for his then son-in-law securing a job at Thai Eastar Jet, an airline based in Thailand. The Jeonju District Prosecutors' Office stated that Moon allegedly appointed Lee Sang-jik to lead the SMEs and Startups Agency, in return for Lee’s influence in securing an executive director position for Seo, Moon’s ex-son-in-law, at the airline.

Prosecutors claim that the 223 million won ($151,959) in salary and benefits Seo received amounted to a bribe to Moon. In response, the Democratic Party has labeled the indictment as politically driven and an overreach of prosecutorial power. A party spokesperson, Park Kyung-mee, questioned the logic behind the accusations, pointing out that the investigation had lasted for four years.

Moon’s indictment places him among several South Korean former presidents who have faced legal troubles. His successor, Yoon Suk-yeol, is currently on trial for charges related to his attempted declaration of martial law. Additionally, Moon’s predecessors, including Park Geun-hye and Lee Myung-bak, have received prison sentences, while former President Roh Moo-hyun tragically took his life in 2009 during a bribery investigation.

While in office, Moon, a former human rights lawyer, focused on expanding social welfare and advocating for improved relations with North Korea. A presidential election is scheduled for June 3 to replace Yoon, whose impeachment was upheld by South Korea's Constitutional Court earlier this month.