Former South Korean President Moon Jae-in has been formally indicted on bribery charges, prosecutors announced Thursday. The indictment alleges that Moon accepted illicit financial benefits via a no-show job given to his son-in-law by Lee Sang-jik, founder of the budget airline Eastar Jet.
Prosecutors claim Moon received approximately 217 million won (USD $151,705) in the form of wages, housing, and financial assistance for his then-son-in-law between 2018 and 2020 while still in office.
This development places Moon among a long list of South Korean presidents entangled in scandal either at the close of their terms or after leaving office. He served from 2017 to 2022 and is widely known for his diplomatic efforts with North Korea during his presidency.
No-Show Job Tied to Bribery Allegations
The Jeonju District Prosecutors’ Office detailed that Moon’s former son-in-law was appointed as a director-level employee at Lee’s company in Thailand, despite lacking airline industry experience. Though he claimed to work remotely from South Korea, his actual contributions were minimal.
While the prosecution has not found direct evidence that Moon granted political favors to Lee in exchange, they note that Lee—a Moon campaign affiliate—likely expected reciprocation. Lee later received political nominations and a state-funded agency position under Moon’s administration.
Political Fallout and Election Impact
Moon’s indictment comes ahead of South Korea’s June 3 presidential election, following the ouster of conservative President Yoon Suk Yeol, who now faces rebellion charges over a failed martial law decree in December.
Observers believe liberal candidate Lee Jae-myung remains the frontrunner despite his own ongoing legal battles. The indictment could affect the race, though the conservative camp remains fragmented post-Yoon.
Moon has not issued a public response. However, his allies from the Democratic Party condemned the move as politically motivated. Lawmaker Youn Kun-young accused prosecutors of trying to deflect attention from Yoon’s downfall by targeting Moon.
Presidential Precedents in Scandal
South Korea has a long history of ex-presidents facing legal action. In 2017, Park Geun-hye was impeached and jailed for corruption. Her predecessor, Lee Myung-bak, also faced criminal convictions. Former President Roh Moo-hyun, a mentor to Moon, died by suicide in 2009 during a corruption probe.
Moon remains a polarizing figure. Supporters highlight his diplomacy with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and efforts to prevent armed conflict. Critics argue that Moon’s North Korea policy was overly conciliatory and allowed Pyongyang to further its nuclear ambitions under the guise of diplomacy.
Categories: Politics, Asia News, Corruption, World Affairs
Tags: Moon Jae-in, South Korea scandal, bribery charges, Eastar Jet, Korean politics, Lee Sang-jik, Yoon Suk Yeol, Korean presidency, political corruption, 2025 South Korea election
