Former President Moon of South Korea Decries Bribery Charges as Unfair
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Synopsis
Former South Korean President Moon Jae-in condemned his bribery indictment as unfair, claiming prosecutorial misconduct. He emphasized the need for renewed inter-Korean dialogue and warned against nuclear armament.
Key Takeaways
- Moon Jae-in criticized his bribery indictment.
- Allegations involve his former son-in-law's employment.
- The indictment was unexpected and politically motivated.
- Moon highlighted the importance of inter-Korean talks.
- He warned against South Korea pursuing nuclear weapons.
Seoul, April 25 (NationPress) The former President of South Korea, Moon Jae-in, voiced strong criticism against the prosecution on Friday regarding his recent indictment on bribery charges, labeling the action as unfair and indicative of the prosecution's misuse of power.
Moon, who held the presidential office from 2017 to 2022, made these statements during a meeting with National Assembly Speaker Woo Won-sik, just a day after he was indicted for allegedly facilitating the employment of his former son-in-law at a Thai airline.
He remarked, “The indictment itself is unjust, and it felt like (prosecutors) were driving (the case) to something of a predetermined course.”
Moon expressed that the indictment was unexpected, occurring while he was in discussions with prosecutors to confirm the pertinent facts.
He accused the prosecution of becoming politically motivated, stating, “It seems like a clear example of how prosecutorial power is being abused.”
Moon and his daughter, Da-hye, are alleged to have received bribes disguised as salary and other payments for Da-hye's ex-husband, surnamed Seo, from the airline.
Seo was appointed as executive director of the airline in 2018, shortly after Lee Sang-jik, the founder of the airline, was designated head of the Korea SMEs and Startups Agency.
Prosecutors believe that Seo's hiring was a quid pro quo for Lee's appointment, especially considering Seo's lack of relevant experience in the airline sector at that time.
It is claimed that Moon ceased financial assistance to his daughter's family following Seo's employment, and the approximately 217 million won ($151,125) received by Seo and Da-hye is considered by prosecutors as a bribe to Moon.
After his discussion with Woo, Moon participated in a ceremony marking the seventh anniversary of the Panmunjom Declaration, a significant agreement signed in April 2018 between Moon and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un at the truce village of Panmunjom.
The declaration aimed to enhance inter-Korean relations and foster peace on the Korean Peninsula, but many initiatives have stagnated under the administration of Moon's conservative successor, Yoon Suk Yeol, according to reports from Yonhap News Agency.
Moon condemned Yoon's stringent approach towards North Korea, which includes the termination of the 2018 inter-Korean military tension reduction pact, emphasizing the necessity of renewing dialogue with Pyongyang.
“Resuming talks between the two Koreas is the most important. To avoid the risks of a military clash, the (inter-Korean) military agreement must first be restored,” Moon asserted.
He characterized the notion of South Korea pursuing nuclear armament as a “dangerous” idea, cautioning that such a move could protect North Korea’s nuclear ambitions, jeopardize denuclearization efforts, and alienate South Korea from the global community.
