Moon, the former president of South Korea, refers to the bribery indictment as “political”

Before the June election, former South Korean President Moon Jae-in accused authorities of political bias and disputed bribery charges.

Following his indictment on bribery allegations related to the employment of his former son-in-law, former South Korean President Moon Jae-in has harshly criticized the nation’s prosecution service, accusing it of political bias and power abuse.

Prosecutors officially charged Moon on Thursday with paying his son-in-law a job and benefits at a Thai airline from 2018 to 2020 in exchange for Moon appointing Lee Sang-jik to lead South Korea’s SMEs and Startups Agency.

Moon criticized the indictment as unfair and politically motivated in remarks made Friday at a meeting with Woo Won-sik, the speaker of the National Assembly.

Moon stated, “I intend to properly uncover and inform the public about the abuse and politicization of the prosecution’s power, in addition to revealing my personal innocence.”

Prosecutors suspect Moon’s former son-in-law’s employment agreement entailed bribery and constituted a quid pro quo, according to a statement from the Jeonju District Prosecutors’ Office. Former politician Lee Sang-jik, who allegedly owned the Thai airline at the time, has also been charged with bribery and breach of trust.

Moon’s legal team has refuted every accusation, arguing that his son-in-law’s payments were reasonable compensation for work that was done. Additionally, they charged that the prosecution was pursuing Moon for political purposes, especially in the lead-up to the June 3 snap presidential election, which was brought on by President Yoon Suk Yeol’s resignation and impeachment due to his contentious proclamation of martial law.

In a nation where legal disputes between former presidents are not unusual, the indictment has increased political tensions. The prosecution pointed to prior bribery instances involving former presidents Lee Myung-bak and Park Geun-hye, who were both found guilty and sentenced to prison.

Moon, a former member of the liberal Democratic Party (DP), is still quite influential. He was indicted at a time when conservative candidates from Yoon’s People Power Party (PPP) are trailing Lee Jae-myung, a member of the DP, in opinion polls.

The case highlights the need for accountability and transparency at the highest levels of government, according to critics, while Moon’s allies contend that the prosecution is conducting a politically fueled witch hunt.