In Seoul, South Korea, former President Moon Jae-in expressed his discontent with the recent bribery charges filed against him, describing the legal actions taken by the prosecutors as an overreach of authority and politically motivated. His remarks followed the announcement of his indictment by prosecutors in Jeonju, who accused him of receiving undue benefits related to his son-in-law’s employment during his term.
During a meeting with National Assembly Speaker Woo Won-shik, Moon conveyed his concerns about the prosecution’s persistence, suggesting there is a predetermined agenda against him. He criticized the legal proceedings as examples of politicization and power abuses within the prosecutorial system. Moon’s visit to the National Assembly coincided with the commemoration of his 2018 summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, highlighting a time of attempted diplomatic engagement between the two nations.
The indictment of Moon adds him to the list of South Korean presidents entangled in controversies toward the end or post-tenure. As the country gears up for a presidential election on June 3, the political atmosphere is tense, following the ousting of conservative President Yoon Suk Yeol over controversial martial law actions. Yoon, Moon’s former prosecutor general who had a public rift with Moon’s administration, currently faces charges involving rebellion concerning his previous decree.
Supporters from Moon’s party, the Democratic Party, argue that the indictment is a smear campaign orchestrated by Yoon’s advocates within the prosecution to tarnish Moon’s reputation before the election. Prosecutors claim that Moon accepted bribes, alleged to total 217 million won (around $151,000), from Lee Sang-jik, who founded the airline Thai Eastar Jet. This financial support supposedly benefited Moon’s son-in-law during 2018-2020.
According to the indictment, Moon’s son-in-law was employed by Lee’s Thai enterprise without relevant industry experience, performing limited duties while based in South Korea. Although the prosecutors have not found definitive proof linking Moon to direct favors for Lee, they speculate that Lee, who had been involved in Moon’s campaign, anticipated that such aid would be reciprocated. Subsequently, Lee became the head of a government agency and secured parliamentary candidacy under the Democratic Party, aligning with Moon’s presidency.