South Korea’s former president, Moon Jae-in, has been officially charged with corruption.
Prosecutors say he helped his son-in-law get a top job at an airline, even though the man had no experience in aviation.
On Thursday, the Jeonju District Prosecutors’ Office said Moon received 217 million won (about $150,000) in return for helping his son-in-law get employed by Thai Eastar Jet, a low-cost airline.
According to the statement, “Moon was indicted for corruption for receiving 217 million won in connection with facilitating the employment of his son-in-law at an airline.”
Prosecutors said the airline was run by a former lawmaker close to Moon’s political party. They claim the job was offered to gain favour with the president, not because of the son-in-law’s skills.
They also revealed that Moon’s son-in-law often skipped work and “did not perform his duties in a manner befitting the position.”
The report added that any salary or benefits paid to him between 2018 and 2020 were “not legitimate salary payments, but bribes intended for the president.”
The case has caused a stir in South Korea, especially as it comes shortly before the country’s June 3 elections. Moon’s indictment now makes him the second former president facing legal issues. Another ex-president, Yoon Suk Yeol, was removed from office and is currently on trial for declaring martial law last year.
Moon, who was president from 2017 to 2022, is known for trying to improve ties with North Korea. He once helped set up talks between North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and U.S. president Donald Trump.
Moon’s political party, the Democratic Party, has strongly criticised the charges. In a statement, spokesperson Park Kyung-mee called the indictment “an abuse of unchecked prosecutorial power.”
“This charge is nothing more than a politically motivated move aimed at humiliating a former president,” she said.
She also questioned the logic behind the case, saying, “So the salary paid to the son-in-law was a bribe to the president? Is this the best logic they could come up with after dragging the case out for four long years?”
South Korea has a history of legal troubles for former leaders. Two other former presidents, Lee Myung-bak and Park Geun-hye, were jailed for corruption. Another former leader, Roh Moo-hyun, died by suicide during a corruption probe involving his family. Moon was once his chief of staff.
