Former South Korean President Moon Jae-in Indicted Over Son-in-Law’s Airline Job
Former South Korean president Moon Jae-in is facing serious legal heat after prosecutors indicted him over what they described as a shady employment deal involving his son-in-law.
On Thursday, the Jeonju District Prosecutors’ Office announced that Moon was charged with corruption linked to his son-in-law landing a top job at an airline, reportedly without the proper qualifications. The office claims Moon received financial favors totaling around 217 million won (about $150,000) in connection to the hiring.
The position in question was with Thai Eastar Jet, a budget airline reportedly under the influence of a former member of Moon’s political circle. Prosecutors say the son-in-law didn’t just lack experience in aviation—he also barely showed up for work. Despite this, he was made a managing director, a move they believe was aimed at currying favor with the president at the time.
According to investigators, the money paid to Moon’s son-in-law between 2018 and 2020 wasn’t legitimate salary, but rather disguised kickbacks meant to reach Moon himself. The son-in-law has since separated from Moon’s daughter.
Moon’s indictment comes during a politically tense season. South Koreans are preparing for a national vote on June 3—just weeks after former President Yoon Suk Yeol was ousted following backlash over his brief declaration of martial law. That move, which lasted mere hours, has landed Yoon in court facing serious charges, including insurrection.
If convicted, Yoon could face life behind bars—or worse. While South Korea has not carried out an execution since 1997, the death penalty remains on the books.
Now, with both Moon and Yoon caught in legal battles, the country’s political scene feels like a repeat of past drama. History shows that South Korea’s ex-presidents rarely walk away unscathed—Lee Myung-bak and Park Geun-hye both served prison sentences for corruption, and the late Roh Moo-hyun, whom Moon once worked under, took his own life amid a separate scandal in 2009.
In response to the latest charges, Moon’s party isn’t holding back. A spokesperson for the Democratic Party slammed the indictment as a calculated attempt to tarnish the former president’s legacy.
“This is just a show of unchecked power by prosecutors,” said Park Kyung-mee. “Calling his son-in-law’s salary a bribe? After four years, that’s all they’ve got?”
Whether this case holds or not, one thing’s clear—South Korea’s politics remain anything but dull.
