Seoul: A Seoul court on Tuesday dismissed former President Moon Jae-in's request to transfer his bribery trial to a court closer to him. The Seoul Central District Court announced the decision during the first preparatory hearing of Moon's trial, emphasizing that the presence of both parties-the recipient and the donor-is required in a bribery case.

According to Yonhap News Agency, Moon's side had requested the trial be moved to the district court in Ulsan, 305 kilometers southeast of Seoul, citing its proximity to Moon's residence in Yangsan. Moon's lawyer, Kim Hyung-yeon, expressed concerns about the logistical burden, stating, "Taking 10 hours to travel back and forth to attend a trial is punishment in itself, and we have serious thoughts about whether we have to be tried in Seoul at such an expense."

Moon was indicted in April on charges of receiving bribes in the form of a salary and other payments exceeding 200 million won (US$146,537) for his then son-in-law, surnamed Seo, from the Thailand-based budget airline, Thai Eastar Jet. Prosecutors allege that Seo's employment with the airline was secured in exchange for Moon appointing Lee Sang-jik, the airline's founder and a former two-term lawmaker, as the head of the Korea SMEs and Startups Agency.

Lee, who has been indicted in the same case, also sought to have his trial moved to the district court in Jeonju, 190 km south of Seoul. His request was similarly dismissed on Tuesday. Moon did not attend the preparatory hearing, as his presence was not required at this stage of the proceedings.