SOUTH KOREAN prosecutors charged former liberal president Moon Jae In on accusations of receiving bribes today.

Mr Moon’s charges adds him to a long list of South Korean leaders who have faced trials or scandals at the close of their terms or after leaving office.

Prosecutors allege that Mr Moon, who served as president from 2017-22, received bribes totalling 217 million won (£114,145) from Lee Sang Jik, founder of the budget carrier Thai Eastar Jet, in the form of wages, housing expenses and other financial assistance provided to Mr Moon’s then-son-in-law from 2018-20.

South Korean media reported that Mr Moon’s daughter and her husband were divorced in 2021.

The Jeonju District Prosecutors’ Office said in a statement that Mr Lee was also accused of paying bribes to Mr Moon and committing breaches of trust.

The prosecutors’ office said that Mr Moon’s former son-in-law was hired as a director-level employee at Mr Lee’s company in Thailand even though he had no work experience in the airline industry. 

The office said he spent only brief periods at the company’s office in Thailand and carried out only minor duties while claiming to be working remotely from South Korea.

There was no immediate response from Mr Moon.