Former South Korean President Moon Jae-in Indicted on Bribery Charges
Former South Korean leader Moon Jae-in has been formally indicted on bribery charges connected to the controversial hiring of his former son-in-law at an airline. Prosecutors allege that Moon’s son-in-law, identified only as Seo, lacked qualifications for the aviation industry but secured an executive position at Thai Eastar Jet in 2018. In return, Eastar Jet’s CEO was reportedly appointed to a state-funded agency leadership role.
Moon, who governed South Korea from 2017 to 2022, is widely remembered for his diplomatic efforts with North Korea’s Kim Jong Un. His indictment adds him to the long list of South Korean presidents whose careers have ended in scandal — through impeachment, imprisonment, or worse.
Prosecutors state that Seo earned approximately 217 million won ($150,000) in salary and housing benefits despite showing poor job performance. They argue these financial benefits amounted to bribes benefiting Moon.
Investigations also targeted Moon’s daughter, Moon Da-hye, whose residence was raided last September as part of the probe. Alongside Moon, former lawmaker Lee Sang-jik, the founder of Eastar Jet, has also been indicted for bribery and breach of trust. Lee was previously sentenced to six years for embezzlement in 2022.
The Democratic Party, to which Moon belongs, has strongly criticized the indictment, labeling it as a politically driven effort to tarnish the former president’s legacy. In South Korea, accusations of political retribution are not uncommon as prosecutors often target former administrations after power changes hands.
Currently, acting president Han Duck-soo leads the government following the impeachment of Yoon Suk Yeol earlier this month.
Moon’s indictment comes at a turbulent political moment for South Korea, where the judiciary is often accused of being influenced by shifting political alliances.
