South Korea: Former President Moon Charged with Bribery
Click to start listening
Synopsis
Former South Korean President Moon Jae-in has been indicted for bribery related to the employment of his ex-son-in-law at an airline. With the forthcoming presidential elections, the indictment is viewed by some as politically motivated.
Key Takeaways
- Former President Moon Jae-in indicted for bribery.
- Allegations tied to ex-son-in-law's airline employment.
- Legal team claims indictment is politically motivated.
- Democratic Party criticizes the indictment as a political maneuver.
- Preparations for June 3 presidential elections ongoing.
Jeonju (South Korea), April 24 (NationPress) South Korean prosecutors announced on Thursday that they have formally charged former President Moon Jae-in with bribery concerning allegations related to his former son-in-law's employment at an airline.
Moon, who held the presidency from 2017 to 2022, faces charges of corruption, while Lee Sang-jik, a former lawmaker and founder of the budget airline Thai Eastar Jet, is indicted for bribery and breach of trust.
Both Moon and his daughter, Da-hye, are accused of allegedly accepting bribes in the form of salary and other financial benefits for Seo, Da-hye’s ex-husband, from the airline.
Seo was appointed as Executive Director in 2018 following Lee's appointment as head of the Korea SMEs and Startups Agency.
Prosecutors believe that Lee's position was secured in exchange for hiring Seo, especially considering Seo's lack of relevant experience in the aviation sector at that time.
It is alleged that Moon ceased financial support to his daughter’s family after Seo's hiring, with prosecutors viewing the total of approximately 217 million won ($151,125) paid to Seo and Da-hye as a bribe to the former president.
This indictment arises as the nation prepares for the June 3 presidential elections, following the recent ousting of former President Yoon Suk Yeol over a failed martial law attempt, as reported by Yonhap news agency.
Moon's legal representatives condemned the charges as politically motivated, describing them as an "unlawful indictment based on fabricated claims".
They asserted that Moon was in the process of preparing a written response for the prosecutors, which he had indicated would be submitted by the end of April. Nevertheless, prosecutors proceeded without verifying crucial facts or waiting for this response, according to Moon's legal team.
The Democratic Party (DP), which nominated Moon in the 2017 elections, also criticized the indictment.
DP spokesperson Park Kyung-mee labeled the action as "a political maneuver" aimed at damaging the former president's and the party's reputation.
Former DP leader Lee Jae-myung echoed this sentiment, characterizing the indictment as "an act of political persecution against the previous administration."
