Moon's Bribery Trial to Continue in Seoul; Decision on Jury Trial Set for November

Moon’s Renewed Request for Transfer to Ulsan Court Dismissed
Court to Decide on Jury Trial After Evidence Selection Process

The court has denied former President Moon Jae-in’s renewed request to transfer his bribery case to another court, meaning the trial will continue at the Seoul Central District Court. The decision on whether the trial will proceed as a jury trial will be made on November 25, 2025.

Former President Moon Jae-in is speaking as he meets Woo Won-shik, Speaker of the National Assembly, at the National Assembly on the 25th. On this day, former President Moon visited the National Assembly for the first time after his retirement to attend the 7th anniversary ceremony of the Panmunjom Declaration. April 25, 2025 Photo by the National Assembly Press Photographers Group

On September 9, the 21st Criminal Division of the Seoul Central District Court (Presiding Judge Lee Hyunbok) held the second pretrial hearing for the bribery case involving former President Moon and former lawmaker Lee Sangjik and made this announcement.

Former President Moon did not appear in court on this day, as defendants are not required to attend pretrial hearings. Former lawmaker Lee, who is currently in custody, was present but did not make any significant statements.

The court pointed out that the prosecution and the defense have differing views regarding the request for a jury trial by former President Moon’s side. The court stated it would first conduct a process to select relevant evidence and then decide whether to proceed with a jury trial at the third pretrial hearing.

On August 29, former President Moon’s legal team submitted a statement expressing their intention to request a jury trial. Citing Moon’s involvement in introducing the jury trial system during his tenure as Senior Presidential Secretary for Civil Affairs under the Roh Moo-hyun administration, the defense emphasized the symbolic significance and Moon’s attachment to the system, stating, “We want to be judged by the people.”

In response, on September 2, the prosecution submitted an opinion conditionally accepting the request. The prosecution stated that if the defense agrees to a significant portion of the testimonial evidence from the investigation phase and the number of witnesses is limited to a small number, they would be willing to accept a jury trial.

On this day, attorney Kim Hyungyeon, representing former President Moon, argued, “Eighty-five percent of the evidence submitted by the prosecution is not directly related to the facts of this indictment,” and added, “Instead of subjecting the defendant to exhaustive questioning and punishment based on a flood of irrelevant evidence, the trial should be conducted fairly and punishment determined accordingly.”

The court stated, “Although the prosecution has expressed conditional acceptance, the parties have not agreed on the process. The court will need to review whether the application for evidence selection under Article 132 of the Criminal Procedure Rules has been properly followed.” According to the rules, prosecutors and defense attorneys must select and submit only evidence that is relevant and necessary to prove the facts in question.

On this day, the court once again dismissed former President Moon’s request to transfer the case to the Ulsan District Court. The court explained, “Considering the unique circumstances of this case and the fact that there has been no change since the previous denial, we do not accept the renewed request for transfer.” Previously, during the first pretrial hearing, Moon’s legal team also requested a transfer to the Ulsan District Court, but the court denied it, citing the court’s trial facilities, support resources, and media accessibility.

On April 24, 2025, the Jeonju District Prosecutors’ Office indicted former President Moon without detention at the Seoul Central District Court on charges of violating the Act on the Aggravated Punishment of Specific Crimes (bribery). Former lawmaker Lee, founder of Eastar Jet, was also indicted on charges of offering bribes and breach of duty. Prosecutors allege that approximately 200 million won in salary and housing expenses received by Mr. Seo, Moon’s son-in-law, from the airline Thai Eastar Jet, constitute bribes to former President Moon. Thai Eastar Jet is an overseas corporate entity of Eastar Jet, which is effectively owned by former lawmaker Lee.