Jung Da-hyun is a reporter at The Korea Times, covering social issues in Korea, including foreign residents, education, environment and politics. Driven by a deep interest in people’s stories, she focuses on investigative and feature reporting through direct interviews and field coverage. She received the Amnesty International Korea Media Award for her “Deepfake Crisis at Schools” series. Reach her at dahyun08@koreatimes.co.kr. Always open to hearing your stories.
Ex-President Moon Jae-in indicted on bribery charges
Former President Moon Jae-in delivers a speech in Yeouido, Seoul, Sept. 19, 2023, during a ceremony marking the fifth anniversary of the Sept. 19 Pyongyang Joint Declaration. Joint Press Corps
By Jung Da-hyun
Prosecutors indicted former President Moon Jae-in on Thursday on bribery charges linked to allegations that he used his influence to help his former son-in-law land a job at a Thai airline reportedly controlled by a former lawmaker of the Democratic Party of Korea (DPK).
Moon was indicted for bribery, while former lawmaker Lee Sang-jik was indicted for bribery and breach of trust, according to Jeonju District Prosecutors' Office.
The case centers on allegations that Moon used his influence to help his former son-in-law, surnamed Seo, obtain a position at Thai Eastar Jet — a low-cost airline in Thailand that was reportedly controlled by Lee, a lawmaker-turned-businessman, from 2018 to 2020.
Prosecutors allege that Moon exploited his presidential authority to extend preferential treatment to his daughter and son-in-law, characterizing the move as an abuse of power for personal benefit.
Prosecutors had been investigating whether Lee’s appointment as head of the SMEs and Startups Agency was part of a quid pro quo arrangement, for which Moon’s former son-in-law secured a job and salary at Thai Eastar Jet in return.
Former two-term Democratic Party of Korea lawmaker Lee Sang-jik / Korea Times file
Moon and his daughter, Moon Da-hye, are accused of receiving bribes in the form of salary and other payments to her then-husband, surnamed Seo. The two divorced in 2021.
According to prosecutors, Seo received approximately 150 million won ($110,000) in salary and 65 million won ($48,000) in housing support from Thai Eastar Jet between August 2018 and March 2020.
They argue that Moon personally benefited from Seo’s employment, as it allowed him to stop providing living expenses to his daughter and her then-husband.
During the investigation, prosecutors also found that several presidential offices — including the Civil Affairs Office, the Special Inspection Team and the Presidential Security Service (PSS) — were deeply involved in assisting Moon’s daughter and her family with their relocation to Thailand.
Officials from the Civil Affairs Office and the Special Inspection Team reportedly met with Moon’s daughter several times, offering assistance that included contact information for local real estate agents and help with enrolling her children in international schools.
The PSS reportedly devised security plans for Moon’s daughter and her family in Thailand as early as June 2018 and went on to conduct overseas protection operations with the president's knowledge and approval.
A prosecution official said the investigation was conducted within legal boundaries and that prosecutors exercised restraint by indicting only Moon, as a public official, and Lee, who is accused of offering the bribe. Moon’s daughter and her former husband were not indicted and were instead granted suspended indictments.
The decision to indict Moon on bribery charges, despite him not receiving the money directly, appears to be based on legal precedents set by the Supreme Court in past rulings involving former presidents Park Geun-hye and Lee Myung-bak.
In those cases, the court ruled that a president can be found guilty of accepting bribes if financial benefits are provided in connection with duties closely related to the presidency, even if the president did not personally receive the money or directly exert influence.
The court said that the president, as head of state, oversees all administrative functions, and therefore any financial transaction related to acts within the scope of presidential duties can constitute bribery.
The indictment sparked strong reactions from the DPK.
The campaign team of Rep. Lee Jae-myung, the DPK's main presidential contender, issued a statement calling the move a clear act of political retaliation by the prosecution.
The campaign team spokesperson criticized the indictment as an example of selective prosecution, accusing the authorities of turning a blind eye to allegations involving former first lady Kim Keon Hee and dropping appeals in cases linked to former President Yoon Suk Yeol, while aggressively pursuing figures from the previous administration.