• Former South Korean President Moon Jae-in indicted for bribery involving his son-in-law's employment.
• Prosecutors allege the bribes amounted to about 217 million won ($150,000).
• Moon claims the charges are politically motivated ahead of upcoming elections.
• Lee Sang-jik, a former lawmaker, has also been indicted in relation to this case.
• This indictment adds to a pattern of legal troubles for former South Korean leaders.

Former South Korean President Moon Jae-in has been indicted on bribery charges, with prosecutors alleging that he received around 217 million won (approximately $150,000) linked to the employment of his then son-in-law at a Thai airline, Thai Eastar Jet between 2018 and 2020. Prosecutors assert that these payments were bribes intended to curry favor with Moon, as the son-in-law, surnamed Seo, was appointed despite having no relevant qualifications in the aviation industry, according to the Al Jazeera, Reuters, and Channel News Asia.

The Jeonju District Prosecutors' Office announced the charges on April 24, marking Moon as the latest in a series of former South Korean leaders facing legal action. Lee Sang-jik, the former lawmaker who led the state-funded Korea SMEs and Startups Agency, is also indicted for bribery and breach of trust related to these events, as detailed by Reuters and BBC.

Following the indictment, Moon publicly condemned the process, suggesting it was influenced by political motives especially with national elections set for June 3. "Beyond revealing my personal innocence, I focus on exposing the abuse and politicisation of the prosecution's power," he stated, as reported by Reuters and Channel News Asia.

The legal troubles surrounding Moon are part of a broader context in South Korea, where several presidents have faced denouncements and prosecutions after their terms, including aforementioned predecessors Park Geun-hye and Lee Myung-bak, both currently in prison for corruption. The Democratic Party spokesperson expressed concerns that these indictments are part of a politically motivated agenda, echoing sentiments shared by Moon and other supporters, according to New York Times and Le Monde.