Former President Moon Jae-in. (Kang Chang-kwang/Hankyoreh)
South Korean prosecutors have indicted former President Moon Jae-in on charges of accepting bribes in relation to the hiring of his former son-in-law. Democratic Party lawmakers fiercely criticized the move as a clear act of “political retaliation,” with others pushing for the dissolution of the prosecution service in its entirety.
The third criminal division of Jeonju District Prosecutors’ Office indicted Moon on Thursday for violation of the Act on the Aggravated Punishment of Specific Crimes. Former lawmaker Lee Sang-jik was also indicted on charges of bribery and occupational embezzlement, while Moon’s daughter and former son-in-law have not been indicted. These indictments come nearly three and a half years after civil society organizations first brought the issue to light in December 2021.
Moon is currently being accused of setting up his then-son-in-law, a 45-year-old individual surnamed Seo, with a job at Thai Eastar Jet, a budget airline owned by Lee, in order to receive bribes in the form of wages and housing expenses to Seo. The alleged bribes totaled up to 217 million won (US$151,300), including Seo’s wages and housing expenses at 152 million and 65 million won, respectively.
Prosecutors believe that Lee’s appointment as the chairperson of the Korea SMEs and Startups Agency in March 2018 and Seo’s hiring as the managing director of Thai Eastar Jet despite having no experience in the industry are proof of alleged bribery. They also believe that Seo received preferential treatment during hiring and that the money he received as wages and other expenses was not payment for work but rather bribes given to Moon. The contention is that Moon abused his sweeping powers as president.
However, some observers have criticized the move as an unwarranted indictment, as questions remain as to whether the wages and expenses received by Seo should be considered bribes to Moon.
A Democratic Party committee focused on responding to attempts to politically oppress the previous administration held an emergency press conference at the National Assembly’s Communication Building on Thursday afternoon to address the charges.
“Prosecutors have once again chosen to engage in politics ahead of a snap presidential election, which is only taking place due to former President Yoon Suk-yeol’s unspeakable crime of illegally declaring martial law on Dec. 3. These charges are being made to ridicule, disparage and mock Moon, his family and all parties involved,” the committee said.
Democratic Party lawmaker Youn Kun-young, who served as state affairs secretary during Moon’s term, slammed the indictment as “absurd and pointless,” adding, “There is all the reason in the world to believe that this indictment is being made to retaliate for the indictment and impeachment of Yoon.”
“Not only will we reveal the truth of the matter in court, we will use this opportunity to expose the prosecution service’s abuse of its investigative powers,” Youn continued. “We will file criminal charges against the prosecution and take this opportunity to overhaul the prosecution.”
The Democratic Party’s presidential contenders are railing against what they call excessive indictments by prosecutors. Lee Jae-myung’s campaign put out a statement saying, “This is a clear case of persecution of the former administration and a form of political retaliation. We hope that the prosecution immediately drops the unjust charges.”
Candidate Kim Kyoung-soo wrote on Facebook, “I am appalled by the prosecution service as it resorts to such devious acts while being driven by political motives. This situation will only be solved if the prosecution is stripped of most powers except its authority to indict. We should dissolve the politically motivated prosecution service with investigative powers.”
Kim Dong-yeon met with journalists Thursday afternoon and commented, “Despite lacking the wherewithal to appeal the release of the impeached leader of an insurrection, the prosecution has the gall to wildly brandish a sword at former President Moon.”
By Cheon Gyeong-seok, staff reporter; Goh Gyoung-ju, staff reporter
Please direct questions or comments to [english@hani.co.kr]
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