Former South Korean president Moon Jae-in indicted in bribery case involving son-in-law’s airline job

Former South Korean president Moon Jae-in indicted in bribery case

South Korea's ex-president Moon Jae-in has been charged with bribery after his former son-in-law was allegedly given a job at a budget airline in return for political favours. The charge puts Moon on a long list of South Korean presidents who have become embroiled in legal controversy after exiting the presidency, the BBC reported.

Prosecutors accuse job was traded for major government post

Under the prosecutors' indictment, Moon's ex-son-in-law, Seo, was made executive director of Eastar Jet subsidiary Thai Eastar Jet in 2018 despite having no qualification or experience in the industry. In return, prosecutors allege that the CEO of the airline, Lee Sang-jik, became head of state-funded Korea SMEs and Startups Agency.

Seo allegedly earned 217 million won (about $150,000) in salary and housing allowances between 2018 and 2020 that authorities claim were bribes meant for Moon. Prosecutors told Reuters that Seo "often took leave from his office for long periods and failed to carry out his responsibilities in a way commensurate with the position." Series of raids and indictments target Moon-era officials

Moon's daughter, Moon Da-hye, saw her home searched in September 2024 under the investigation. Prosecutors indicted Lee Sang-jik on bribery and violation of trust as well; he is already in prison for six years for embezzlement which was sentenced in 2022.

The indictment is part of a wider crackdown on officials from Moon's 2017–2022 government. Earlier this month, Moon's former defence minister and national security advisor were indicted for allegedly sharing classified information with activist groups.

Moon is added to long list of troubled former South Korean presidents

Moon, best remembered for his peace efforts towards North Korea's Kim Jong Un while in office, now joins the ranks of former South Korean presidents who have been mired in scandal — a roll call of leaders who have gone to prison, been impeached, or committed suicide.

The government, headed by acting president and prime minister Han Duck-soo of the conservative People Power Party, has been criticized for seeking prosecution against opposition leaders. Moon's Democratic Party decried the indictment as "a politically motivated attempt to humiliate a former president."

A highly politicised trend in Korean prosecution

South Korea's prosecutor service has for years been accused of politicization. It is routine for incoming administrations to reopen investigations into their predecessors, stoking claims that justice is being made a political tool.

Despite Moon's silence so far on the indictment, his party's vigorous denouncement indicates the legal and political fight is probably far from over.