Prosecutors Indict Former President Moon Jae-in Without Detention on Bribery Charges

Allegations of Preferential Hiring at Thai Eastar Jet
Former Democratic Party Lawmaker Lee Sangjik Also Indicted
Former Son-in-law of Moon's Daughter Receives Suspension of Indictment

The Criminal Division 3 of the Jeonju District Prosecutors' Office, which has been investigating allegations that Seo, the former son-in-law of former President Moon Jae-in, received preferential treatment in his hiring at Thai Eastar Jet Airlines, indicted former President Moon without detention on April 24. The prosecution alleges that in March 2018, when Moon was president, he appointed Lee Sangjik, a former lawmaker of the Democratic Party, as chairman of the Korea SMEs and Startups Agency, and in return, Seo was given preferential employment at Thai Eastar Jet Airlines in July of the same year.

Seo, who is the husband of Moon's daughter, Dahye, had previously worked at a gaming company but had no experience in the airline industry. However, prosecutors believe that his appointment as an executive director at the airline was ultimately due to Moon's appointment of Lee as chairman. The prosecution claims that the total of 217 million won paid to Seo by the company after his employment, including salary and relocation expenses, constitutes a bribe.

According to the prosecution, after joining the company, Seo only performed simple assistant duties and, at times, did not report to work, citing long absences or working from home. The prosecution determined that Seo did not perform normal work duties.

The prosecution also stated that Moon, at the time, was involved in Seo's hiring process through the Special Inspection Team of the Blue House's Civil Affairs Office. After Lee was nominated as chairman of the Korea SMEs and Startups Agency in December 2017, he reportedly received the business plan of the previous chairman and used it to prepare his application documents. The prosecution noted that among the three candidates, only Lee underwent a personnel verification process.

Accordingly, the prosecution also indicted Lee without detention on charges of bribery and breach of duty. Moon's daughter Dahye and Seo received a suspension of indictment. Seo divorced Dahye in 2021. Previously, on August 30 last year, the prosecution conducted a search and seizure of Dahye's residence and office in Seoul, as well as her villa in Jeju Island, specifying Moon as a "suspect of bribery" in the warrant.