Prosecutors in South Korea have officially charged former President Moon Jae-in with bribery, according to a statement released Thursday by the Gyeongju District Prosecutor's Office.
The charges stem from an ongoing investigation into the appointment of Moon’s former son-in-law to a Thai airline allegedly controlled by a former lawmaker.
The 72-year-old former leader, who served from 2017 to 2022, is accused of accepting illicit financial benefits tied to the appointment.
Former lawmaker Lee Sang-jik, also implicated in the case, has been charged with bribery and breach of trust.
Prosecutors allege that Lee facilitated the appointment of Moon’s former son-in-law to an executive position at the airline between 2018 and 2020.
In return, Lee allegedly secured a high-level role as head of a government agency overseeing small and medium enterprises. The appointment reportedly included a salary and living expenses for Moon’s relative, totaling 5.95 million Thai baht (approximately $177,500 USD or 218 million Korean won), which authorities are treating as an illegal bribe.
Efforts to contact Moon, Lee, and their legal representatives for comment have so far been unsuccessful.
The scandal adds to the political upheaval in South Korea, following the recent dismissal of conservative President Yoon Suk-yeol, who was removed from office earlier this month after a short-lived imposition of martial law.
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