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The Hindu
25-04-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Former South Korean President Moon calls his bribery indictment 'unjust'
Former South Korean President Moon Jae-in on Friday (April 25, 2025) called his indictment on bribery charges 'unjust,' accusing prosecutors of abusing their power in what he called a politically motivated investigation. Mr. Moon's comments came a day after prosecutors in the southern city of Jeonju announced his indictment over allegations that a budget airline gave his son-in-law a lucrative no-show job during his presidency. Meeting with National Assembly speaker Woo Won-shik, Moon said he feels that prosecutors are 'pushing forward in a predetermined direction, no matter what' and that his case was an example of 'how politicized the prosecution has become and how prosecutorial power is being abused.' The former liberal leader was visiting the National Assembly for an event marking the seventh anniversary of his 2018 summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, held during a brief period of engagement between the rival Koreas. Moon's indictment adds to a long list of South Korean leaders who have faced criminal allegations or scandals near the end of their terms or after leaving office. On June 3, South Korea will hold a Presidential election to select a successor to conservative President Yoon Suk Yeol, who was recently removed from office over an ill-conceived imposition of martial law in December. Mr. Yoon, who previously served as prosecutor general under the Moon administration before a high-profile fallout with the liberal leadership, is now facing a criminal trial on rebellion charges related to the decree. Moon's political allies at the main opposition Democratic Party have portrayed the indictment as a political vendetta, pushed by Yoon's supporters at the prosecution service to humiliate the former liberal leader ahead of the election. Prosecutors allege that Mr. Moon, who served as president from 2017-2022, received bribes totalling 217 million won ($151,000) from Lee Sang-jik, founder of the budget carrier Thai Eastar Jet. The bribes were allegedly in the form of financial support for Moon's son-in-law between 2018-2020. Prosecutors say the man, who reportedly divorced Mr. Moon's daughter in 2021, was hired by Lee's company in Thailand despite having no experience in the airline industry, and performed minimal duties while claiming to work remotely from South Korea. Prosecutors said they had not found evidence that Moon directly arranged political favors for Lee, but that Lee, who worked on Moon's campaign, likely expected his assistance to be repaid. Lee was later named the head of the state-funded Korea Small and Medium Enterprises and Startups Agency and was nominated by Moon's party to run for parliament while Moon was in office.
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Business Standard
24-04-2025
- Politics
- Business Standard
Former South Korean President Moon Jae-in indicted in bribery case
South Korea's prosecution service has indicted former president Moon Jae-in on bribery charges linked to his former son-in-law's controversial appointment to a top airline post. Allegations against Moon According to prosecutors, Moon's former son-in-law, identified only by the surname Seo, was hired as executive director of Thai Eastar Jet in 2018, despite having no notable experience in aviation. The appointment allegedly came in exchange for Eastar Jet founder and former lawmaker Lee Sang-jik being named head of the state-run Korea SMEs and Startups Agency that same year. Prosecutors claim this deal was orchestrated to indirectly benefit Moon. Seo reportedly received around 217 million won in salary and housing support between 2018 and 2020. A Reuters report cited by prosecutors noted that Seo frequently absented himself from his duties and failed to perform in a capacity commensurate with his role. Yoon Suk Yeol removed from office Just weeks ago, former President Yoon Suk Yeol was removed from office after declaring martial law—a move that sparked public outrage. He, too, now faces criminal charges. Moon joins Yoon and other former South Korean presidents who have faced prosecution. South Korea's first female president, Park Geun-hye, was impeached in 2017 following a high-profile corruption scandal involving her confidante Choi Soon-sil. She was sentenced to a combined 22 years in prison before being pardoned on health and humanitarian grounds in December 2021. Moon's immediate predecessor, Lee Myung-bak, was convicted of embezzlement and bribery, receiving a 17-year sentence in 2018. He was released early through a presidential pardon in 2022, also citing health issues. Moon's political mentor, Roh Moo-hyun, also faced a corruption probe linked to his family after leaving office and died by suicide in 2009. Earlier, former military rulers Chun Doo-hwan and Roh Tae-woo were convicted in 1996 for mutiny, treason, and corruption related to the 1979 coup and the 1980 Gwangju massacre. Chun's death sentence was later commuted to life imprisonment, while Roh received a 17-year sentence. Both were pardoned in 1997 as part of a national reconciliation effort led by then-president Kim Young-sam with the support of president-elect Kim Dae-jung.
Euronews
24-04-2025
- Politics
- Euronews
South Korea's former President Moon indicted for alleged bribery
ADVERTISEMENT Former South Korean President Moon Jae-in was indicted Thursday on bribery charges, accused of accepting illegal favours through a no-show job arranged for his then-son-in-law during his term in office. Prosecutors say Moon received bribes worth 217 million won (€133,239) from Thai Eastar Jet founder Lee Sang-jik, who allegedly provided wages, housing, and other financial support to Moon's former son-in-law between 2018 and 2020. Lee, a former campaign associate of Moon's, was also indicted for bribery and breach of trust. The son-in-law was reportedly hired at Lee's Thailand-based airline company in a director-level role despite having no aviation experience and carried out only minor duties while claiming to be working remotely from South Korea. Lee was later appointed to lead a state-funded agency and nominated for parliament by Moon's party, though prosecutors say they found no direct evidence that Moon facilitated these roles. Related South Korean lawmakers impeach acting President Han Duck-soo South Korea impeachment motion stalls after governing lawmakers boycott vote The indictment comes ahead of South Korea's June 3 presidential election, following the ousting of conservative President Yoon Suk Yeol, who now faces trial over an attempt to impose martial law. Moon's allies in the Democratic Party denounced the charges as politically motivated, accusing prosecutors loyal to Yoon of trying to discredit the former liberal leader ahead of the election. Despite the indictment, liberal candidate Lee Jae-myung remains the frontrunner in a fractured race, though he too is on trial for separate corruption allegations. Two men pose with an image of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, left, and South Korean President Moon Jae-in displayed at a park near the presidential Blue House in Seoul, Sout Ahn Young-joon/Copyright 2018 The AP. All rights reserved. Moon served as president of South Korea from 2017 to 2022. He is best known for his push to reconcile with rival North Korea as he met North Korean leader Kim Jong Un three times and facilitated the start of the high-stakes nuclear diplomacy between Kim and US President Donald Trump. Moon's supporters credit him with achieving now-stalled cooperation with North Korea and avoiding major armed clashes, but opponents say he was a naive North Korea sympathizer who ended up helping the North buy time to advance its nuclear program in the face of international sanctions and pressure.
Saudi Gazette
24-04-2025
- Politics
- Saudi Gazette
Former South Korea president Moon Jae-in indicted for bribery
SEOUL — Prosecutors have indicted former South Korean President Moon Jae-in on charges of bribery related to his former son-in-law's job at an airline. Prosecutors argue his former son-in-law, identified only by his surname Seo, had little experience in the aviation industry but was hired in exchange for the airline's CEO leading a state-funded agency. Moon led the country from 2017 to 2022 and is best remembered for his attempts to broker a peace deal with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. He joins a long list of South Korean presidents whose political careers have been marred by scandal, from jail to assassination to suicide. Former President Yoon Suk Yeol, who was removed from office this month for his shock martial law declaration, is also facing criminal charges. Besides Moon, former lawmaker Lee Sang-jik has also been indicted, prosecutors say. He is being accused of bribery and breach of trust. In 2022, Lee was sentenced to six years in prison for embezzling company funds. The founder of budget carrier Eastar Jet, Lee was named the head of the Korea SMEs and Startups Agency in 2018 — the same year that Seo was appointed executive director of his airline's subsidiary Thai Eastar Jet. Between 2018 and 2020, Seo received around 217 million won ($150,000; £113,000) in salary and housing support — a sum that prosecutors say constitutes bribes intended for Moon. According to prosecutors, Seo was appointed "despite any relevant experience or qualifications in the airline industry", said a Reuters report. He "frequently left his post for extended periods... and did not perform his duties in a manner befitting the position", it added. The residence of Moon Da-hye, the former president's daughter, was raided last September during investigations of the bribery allegations. Moon's indictment comes amid a series of prosecutions against officials in his administration. Earlier this month, Moon's former national security advisor and defense minister were indicted for allegedly leaking intelligence to activists. The country's prosecution service is often accused of being politicised – and when the government changes hands, it's common for rival politicians to be investigated. The current government is led by acting president and prime minister Han Duck-soo the People Power Party's. Moon's Democratic Party has condemned the prosecution, calling it a "politically motivated move aimed at humiliating a former president". — BBC
Yahoo
24-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Former S Korea president Moon Jae-in indicted for bribery
Prosecutors have indicted former South Korean President Moon Jae-in on charges of bribery related to his former son-in-law's job at an airline. Prosecutors argue his former son-in-law, identified only by his surname Seo, had little experience in the aviation industry but was hired in exchange for the airline's CEO leading a state-funded agency. Moon led the country from 2017 to 2022 and is best remembered for his attempts to broker a peace deal with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. He joins a long list of South Korean presidents whose political careers have been marred by scandal, from jail to assassination to suicide. Former President Yoon Suk Yeol, who was removed from office this month for his shock martial law declaration, is also facing criminal charges. Besides Moon, former lawmaker Lee Sang-jik has also been indicted, prosecutors say. He is being accused of bribery and breach of trust. In 2022, Lee was sentenced to six years in prison for embezzling company funds. The founder of budget carrier Eastar Jet, Lee was named the head of the Korea SMEs and Startups Agency in 2018 - the same year that Seo was appointed executive director of his airline's subsidiary Thai Eastar Jet. Between 2018 and 2020, Seo received around 217 million won ($150,000; £113,000) in salary and housing support - a sum that prosecutors say constitute bribes intended for Moon. According to prosecutors, Seo was appointed "despite any relevant experience or qualifications in the airline industry", said a Reuters report. He "frequently left his post for extended periods... and did not perform his duties in a manner befitting the position", it added. The residence of Moon Da-hye, the former president's daughter, was raided last September during investigations of the bribery allegations. Moon's indictment comes amid a series of prosecutions against officials in his administration. Earlier this month, Moon's former national security advisor and defence minister were indicted for allegedly leaking intelligence to activists. The country's prosecution service is often accused of being politicised – and when the government changes hands, it's common for rival politicians to be investigated. The current government is led by acting president and prime minister Han Duck-soo the People Power Party's. Moon's Democratic Party has condemned the prosection, calling it a "politically motivated move aimed at humiliating a former president".
