South Korea's former President Moon Jae-in has been indicted on bribery charges related to allegations that his son-in-law received a no-show job from a budget airline during his presidency, prosecutors announced Thursday, marking a dramatic turn in the country's turbulent history of post-presidential legal battles.
The Jeonju District Prosecutors' Office said Moon, who led the nation from 2017 to 2022, is accused of accepting 217 million won ($151,705) in illicit benefits in the form of salary, housing expenses, and other financial support funneled through his son-in-law's employment at Thai Eastar Jet, a company founded by former lawmaker Lee Sang-jik. Lee was also indicted for bribery and breach of trust.
According to prosecutors, Moon's former son-in-law was hired as a director-level executive at a Thai-based firm affiliated with Lee, despite having no aviation experience. The office said he spent little time at the Thai office, mostly working remotely from South Korea, while continuing to receive substantial compensation between 2018 and 2020.
The prosecution has not presented direct evidence that Moon intervened in Lee's appointment as the head of the state-run Korea SMEs and Startups Agency, but alleges Lee likely expected presidential favor in return for employing Moon's relative. A former personnel aide to Moon was previously indicted in relation to Lee's appointment, but prosecutors say she refused to cooperate during questioning.
Moon's daughter and the indicted son-in-law divorced in 2021, South Korean media reported.
The indictment arrives amid a volatile political climate, just weeks before a June 3 presidential election to replace conservative President Yoon Suk Yeol, who was removed from office in December over his failed imposition of martial law and is currently facing rebellion charges. Moon's prosecution has deepened partisan divides ahead of the vote.
Liberal presidential front-runner Lee Jae-myung, who leads in most polls, is also under investigation for corruption. Still, his Democratic Party allies blasted Moon's indictment as a political maneuver orchestrated by prosecutors loyal to the ousted Yoon.
Moon has not publicly commented on the indictment.
The development adds Moon to a long list of South Korean presidents embroiled in legal controversies. His predecessor, Park Geun-hye, was impeached and jailed over a corruption scandal in 2017. Park's own predecessor, Lee Myung-bak, was convicted on multiple charges. Former liberal President Roh Moo-hyun, a mentor to Moon, died by suicide in 2009 while facing a corruption probe.
Moon is best known internationally for his efforts to engage with North Korea. He met North Korean leader Kim Jong Un three times and played a key role in facilitating nuclear diplomacy between Pyongyang and the Trump administration. Supporters credit him with averting military conflict, while critics say his engagement policy allowed North Korea to advance its weapons programs under the guise of diplomacy.
