Moon Jaein Indicted on Bribery Charges Over Son-in-law's Preferential Hiring (Comprehensive)
by Song Bohyeon
Published 24 Apr.2025 10:55(KST)
Updated 27 Jul.2025 07:40(KST)
Lee Sangjik Also Indicted for Bribery
Moon's Daughter and Former Son-in-law Granted Suspension of Indictment
Former President Moon Jaein has been indicted on charges of bribery in connection with allegations that his son-in-law received preferential hiring at a foreign airline. This comes about three years and five months after a civic group filed a complaint in 2021.
The Jeonju District Prosecutors' Office announced on April 24 that former President Moon had been indicted without detention on bribery charges under the Act on the Aggravated Punishment of Specific Crimes. Lee Sangjik, the founder of Eastar Jet, who was also under investigation, was indicted on charges of offering bribes and breach of trust. Moon's daughter, Dahye, and his son-in-law, identified as Mr. Seo, were granted a suspension of indictment.
The trial is scheduled to take place at the Seoul Central District Court.
According to the prosecution, in 2018, former President Moon allegedly arranged for his son-in-law, Seo, to be hired as an executive at Thai Eastar Jet, a Thai-based corporation effectively owned by former lawmaker Lee. Through this, Seo is said to have received approximately 215 million won in salary and housing expenses.
The prosecution determined that, in this process, former President Moon stopped providing living expenses to his daughter and her husband, and directly obtained economic benefits equivalent to the amount previously provided.
The prosecution also stated that they confirmed circumstances indicating that the Blue House's Civil Affairs Secretary's Office, the Special Inspection Team, and the Presidential Security Service were deeply involved in the overseas relocation and security arrangements for Dahye and her husband. The prosecution pointed out that this process went beyond simple support and constituted preferential treatment using presidential authority.
A prosecution official explained, "The President received support for his children's overseas relocation through former lawmaker Lee, who is both a politician and an entrepreneur," adding, "We exercised restraint in prosecution by indicting only the President, who is a public official, and the bribe giver." The official further stated that, regarding Dahye and her husband, "Although they are accomplices, we decided on suspension of indictment considering their family relationship and other circumstances."
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.