Former South Korean President Moon Jae-in (pictured) on Friday criticized the prosecution's bribery indictment against him as politically motivated. Speaking to National Assembly Speaker Woo Won-shik, Moon called the case "an example of the prosecution being politicized and abusing its power."

It was his first public reaction since prosecutors indicted him on Thursday over the 2018 hiring of his former son-in-law by Thai Eastar Jet. Authorities allege the job was arranged by the airline's founder, former lawmaker Lee Sang-jik, in return for political favors.

Moon urged lawmakers to address the "abuse of power" and emphasized the need to restore public trust. He also proposed early presidential elections to stabilize the country, warning that ongoing political divisions could lead to further chaos.