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First Post
25-04-2025
- Politics
- First Post
South Korea's ex president says his bribery indictment 'unjust' and 'politically motivated
Former president Moon, 72, is accused of accepting a bribe of $151,000 through his former son-in-law's employment at the airline, along with the salary and living expenses provided by it read more South Korean former President Moon Jae-in speaks during a ceremony of the 103rd anniversary of the March 1st Independence Movement Day in Seoul, South Korea, March 1, 2022. File Image / Reuters South Korea's former president Moon Jae-in claimed Friday that prosecutors abused their power, were politically motivated and 'unjust' to indict him on bribery known for his dovish approach to North Korea and peacemaking efforts, was indicted Thursday in a case linked his ex-son-in-law's employment at a Thai airline. The case adds another layer to the political turmoil engulfing South Korea, where snap elections had to be called following Yoon Suk Yeol's impeachment for declaring martial law. Former president Moon, 72, is accused of accepting a bribe of $151,000 through his former son-in-law's employment at the airline, along with the salary and living expenses provided by it. The company, low-cost airline Thai Eastar Jet, was controlled by a former MP from Moon's party, who was allegedly seeking to gain favour with the then-president. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD But during a televised meeting with the National Assembly Speaker on Friday, Moon said that 'not only is the indictment itself unjust, but I also felt that the prosecution was just pushing it through in a pre-determined direction, no matter what.' He called the case 'a very clear exmaple of the prosecution being politicised'. According to prosecutors, Moon's ex-son-in-law was appointed managing director of Thai Eastar Jet 'despite lacking any relevant experience or qualifications in the airline industry'. They added that he frequently took extended leave and handled only basic tasks, such as sending emails was was unemployed before joining the airline. Political revenge is a recurring theme in South Korea's landscape. The country's only two other surviving former presidents, Lee Myung-bak and Park Geun-hye, have both been found guilty of corruption and spent time behind bars. Prosecutors are also currently investigating a stock price manipulation case allegedly involving former first lady Kim Keon Hee, the wife of conservative ex-president Yoon. Moon, who while in office brokered talks between Pyongyang's leader Kim Jong Un and US President Donald Trump during his first term, remains an influential figure in his liberal-leaning Democratic Party (DP). STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Lee Jae-myung, currently the DP's strongest presidential candidate, is leading the race by a double-digit margin over contenders from ex-president Yoon's scandal-tainted conservative People Power Party (PPP).
Yomiuri Shimbun
24-04-2025
- Politics
- Yomiuri Shimbun
South Korea Prosecutors Indict Ex-President Moon Jae-in for Bribery
Jeon Heon-Kyun/Pool via REUTERS South Korean President Moon Jae-in speaks during a ceremony of the 103rd anniversary of the March 1st Independence Movement Day in Seoul, South Korea, March 1, 2022. SEOUL, April 24 (Reuters) – South Korean prosecutors have indicted former president Moon Jae-in for alleged bribery, a prosecution office spokesperson said on Thursday, in a case related to the appointment of his former son-in-law at a Thai airline. Moon, 72, was indicted for bribery, while former lawmaker Lee Sang-jik was indicted for bribery and breach of trust, Jeonju District Prosecutors' Office said in a statement. Prosecutors had been investigating whether Lee's appointment as the head of the SMEs and Startups Agency was in exchange for Moon's former son-in-law getting a job and receiving a salary plus living expenses at the Thai-based corporation that Lee controlled in 2018-2020, the statement said. The prosecution alleges that the money Moon's son-in-law received as an executive director totalling 5.95 million baht ($177,506), or 218 million won, was irregular and constituted a bribe to the then-president. Moon, Lee and their legal representatives could not immediately be reached for comment. The liberal-leaning Moon, a lawyer and a civil rights activist, was president between 2017 and 2022. He was replaced by the conservative Yoon Suk Yeol as president. Yoon was removed from office this month after being impeached over his short-lived imposition of martial law.
First Post
24-04-2025
- Politics
- First Post
South Korea's ex-President Moon Jae-in indicted over bribery charges
Former President of South Korea Moon Jae-in was indicted on charges of bribery, in a case related to the appointment of his former son-in-law at a Thai airline read more South Korean former President Moon Jae-in speaks during a ceremony of the 103rd anniversary of the March 1st Independence Movement Day in Seoul, South Korea, March 1, 2022. File Image / Reuters South Korea's former President Moon Jae-in was indicted over bribery charges in the latest scandal that hit the country after the impeachment of Yoon Suk Yeol. The prosecutors found the former president guilty of allegations of facilitating the employment of his ex-son-in-law at an airline. According to South Korean news outlet Yonhap, Moon and his daughter Da-hye are accused of receiving bribes in the form of salary and other payments to Moon's former son-in-law, surnamed Seo. The prosecutors alleged that these bribes were coming from Thailand-based budget carrier Thai Eastar Jet. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Seo was appointed as the executive director of the airline in 2018 after the company's founder and former two-term lawmaker Lee Sang-jik was appointed head of the Korea SMEs and Startups Agency. Prosecutors suspect that Lee was appointed to the role in exchange for Moon's son-in-law getting hired at the airline. They supported their argument by showing Seo's lack of experience in the airline industry at the time. Moon was indicted for bribery, while former lawmaker Lee Sang-jik was indicted for bribery and breach of trust, Jeonju District Prosecutors' Office said in a statement. Moon, Lee and their legal representatives are yet to respond to the allegations. 'Moon was indicted for corruption for receiving 217 million won (USD 150,000) in connection with facilitating the employment of his son-in-law at an airline,' the Jeonju District Prosecutors' Office said With inputs from agencies.
Straits Times
24-04-2025
- Politics
- Straits Times
South Korea prosecutors indict ex-president Moon Jae-in for bribery
FILE PHOTO: South Korean President Moon Jae-in speaks during a ceremony of the 103rd anniversary of the March 1st Independence Movement Day in Seoul, South Korea, March 1, 2022. Jeon Heon-Kyun/Pool via REUTERS/File Photo SEOUL - South Korean prosecutors have indicted former president Moon Jae-in for alleged bribery, a prosecution office spokesperson said on Thursday, in a case related to the appointment of his former son-in-law at a Thai airline. Moon was indicted for bribery, while former lawmaker Lee Sang-jik was indicted for bribery and breach of trust, Jeonju District Prosecutors' Office said in a statement. Prosecutors had been investigating whether Lee's appointment as the head of an SMEs and Startups Agency was in exchange for Moon's former son-in-law getting a job and receiving a salary at the Thai-based corporation that Lee controlled in 2018-2020, the statement said. The prosecution alleged that the salary Moon's son-in-law received as an executive director was irregular and constituted a bribe to the then-president. Moon, Lee and their legal representatives could not immediately be reached for comment. REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
The Star
24-04-2025
- Politics
- The Star
South Korea prosecutors indict ex-president Moon Jae-in for bribery
FILE PHOTO: South Korean President Moon Jae-in speaks during a ceremony of the 103rd anniversary of the March 1st Independence Movement Day in Seoul, South Korea, March 1, 2022. Jeon Heon-Kyun/Pool via REUTERS/File Photo
