Former South Korean President Moon Jae-in and ex-lawmaker Lee Sang-jik have been indicted on bribery charges related to Moon’s son-in-law securing a job at an airline. The indictment comes ahead of the country's general election in June, following the impeachment of President Yoon Suk Yeol, who could face severe penalties if convicted.

South Korea’s former president Moon Jae-in has been indicted on charges of alleged bribery, prosecutors announced on Thursday. Moon is accused of receiving 217 million won (€134,000, $152,000) in connection with facilitating the employment of his son-in-law at an airline, according to the Jeonju District Prosecutors' Office.

In addition to Moon, former lawmaker Lee Sang-jik has also been indicted on charges of bribery and breach of trust. Prosecutors allege that Lee's appointment to lead the non-profit Korea SMEs & Startups Agency (KOSME) was in exchange for helping Moon’s former son-in-law secure a position at the Thailand-based budget carrier, Thai Eastar Jet. Lee served as the airline's head from 2018 to 2020.

Prosecutors believe that the appointment was made in return for hiring Seo, Moon's son-in-law, and that his salary at the airline was essentially a bribe to the former president. Additionally, Moon's daughter, Da-hye, has been implicated in the case, according to South Korean news agency Yonhap.

This development comes just six weeks before South Korea's general election, which has been embroiled in political controversies in recent months. The election, originally scheduled for March 2027, has been brought forward to June 3 following the impeachment of Yoon Suk Yeol, who succeeded the left-leaning Moon as president in 2022.

Yoon, a conservative, was impeached and removed from office late last year for declaring martial law, triggering a severe political crisis in South Korea. If convicted, Yoon could face life imprisonment or even the death penalty.