Former South Korean President Moon Jae-in Indicted Over Alleged Bribery Scheme
Former South Korean President Moon Jae-in has been indicted on bribery charges, prosecutors announced Thursday, marking## the latest in a series of corruption scandals involving past South Korean leaders.
According to the Jeonju District Prosecutors’ Office, Moon is accused of accepting bribes worth 217 million won (about $151,700) between 2018 and 2020. The alleged payments came in the form of wages, housing support, and financial benefits provided to his then-son-in-law by Lee Sang-jik, the founder of budget airline Eastar Jet.
Prosecutors say Moon’s former son-in-law held a director-level position at a Thai branch of Lee’s company despite having no relevant experience and reportedly performed minimal duties while based in South Korea.
Lee, who also faces charges for bribery and breach of trust, was closely linked to Moon’s political circle. He was appointed head of the Korea SME and Startups Agency and nominated to parliament during Moon’s presidency. A former aide to Moon has already been indicted in connection with Lee’s appointment but declined to testify, leaving questions about Moon’s direct involvement unanswered.
Though investigators say they found no evidence Moon granted political favors in exchange for the payments, they believe Lee, a former campaign associate, expected future returns for his support.
The indictment comes at a politically volatile time, as South Korea prepares to elect a new president on June 3. Conservative President Yoon Suk Yeol, who succeeded Moon, was removed from office in December and now faces his own criminal trial over a controversial martial law decree. The political fallout has fractured the conservative camp, while liberal candidate Lee Jae-myung leads in polls—despite also facing legal battles of his own.
The Democratic Party, Moon’s political base, dismissed the charges as a smear campaign ## by allies of Yoon in the prosecution service, aiming to damage liberal chances ahead of the election. Moon has yet to issue a public response.
