Ex-South Korean President Moon Jae-in Indicted on Bribery Allegations

SEOUL, South Korea — On Thursday, South Korean prosecutors charged former President Moon Jae-in, a liberal, with bribery. They allege that a low-cost airline provided his son-in-law with a well-compensated, but essentially non-existent, job while Moon was in office.

Moon’s indictment means he joins many South Korean leaders who have faced trials or scandals either near the end of their presidencies or after their terms concluded.

Prosecutors claim that Moon, who was president from 2017 to 2022, accepted bribes totaling 217 million won ($151,705) from Lee Sang-jik, the founder of Thai Eastar Jet, a budget airline. These bribes allegedly took the form of salary, housing costs, and other financial support given to Moon’s then-son-in-law between 2018 and 2020.

South Korean news outlets have reported that Moon’s daughter and her husband divorced in 2021.

The Jeonju District Prosecutors’ Office stated that Lee was also indicted for bribing Moon and for breach of trust.

According to the prosecutors, Moon’s former son-in-law was hired as a director at Lee’s company in Thailand, even without prior experience in the airline industry. They stated he spent little time at the company’s Thailand office and performed only minor tasks, while claiming to work remotely from South Korea.

The prosecutors’ office stated they found no proof that Moon provided political favors for Lee, an individual involved in Moon’s campaign. However, they believe Lee likely anticipated some form of repayment for his assistance.

Lee was later appointed as the head of the state-funded Korea SME and Startups Agency and was nominated by Moon’s party to run for parliament during Moon’s presidency. However, the prosecutors stated they have not found any evidence suggesting Moon aided Lee in securing these positions.

There has been no immediate comment from Moon.

Moon’s indictment occurs prior to the upcoming South Korean presidential election on June 3, which will determine the successor to conservative President Yoon Suk Yeol, who was removed from office due to a controversial imposition of martial law. It remains uncertain whether Moon’s indictment will impact the chances of liberals regaining the presidency.

Sources suggest that a liberal presidential candidate is currently favored to win the vote, as conservatives remain disorganized following Yoon’s removal. However, the candidate also faces criminal trials related to allegations of corruption and other offenses.

Historically, many South Korean presidents have been caught up in scandals during their final months in office or after leaving office. In 2017, Park Geun-hye, South Korea’s first female president, was impeached and arrested because of a major corruption scandal.

Park’s conservative predecessor, Lee Myung-bak, was also arrested on various charges years after leaving office. Moon’s friend, former liberal President Roh Moo-hyun, died by suicide in 2009 amidst corruption investigations targeting his family.

Moon is most noted for his efforts to reconcile with North Korea, having met with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un three times and facilitating the commencement of high-level nuclear negotiations between Kim and President Donald Trump.

Moon’s supporters credit him for achieving cooperation with North Korea, which has since stalled, and for preventing significant armed conflicts. However, opponents view him as a naive sympathizer of North Korea who inadvertently allowed the North to advance its nuclear program despite international sanctions and pressure.

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