[Sportschosun Jo Min-jeong] In the appeals trial of a damages suit over the breakup of a de facto marriage filed against the son of singers Hong Seo-beom and Jo Gap-kyung, the court again ruled in favor of the ex-wife.
According to a report by Star News on the 26th, the Family Division 1 of the Daejeon Family Court recently issued a partial ruling in favor of the plaintiff in the appeals trial of a damages claim filed by ex-wife A against B, the son of Hong Seo-beom and Jo Gap-kyung, over the breakup of their de facto marriage.
A filed the lawsuit in September last year, claiming that B had committed infidelity while they were in a de facto marriage, which led to the breakdown of the relationship. She also alleged that he had an inappropriate relationship with a co-worker when she was in the early stages of pregnancy.
The trial court found B responsible for the collapse of the de facto marriage and ordered him to pay 30 million won in damages and 800,000 won per month in child support. The case then moved to the appeals court.
According to Star News, the appeals court held three hearings before issuing a partial ruling in favor of the plaintiff on the 25th, effectively upholding the lower court's decision. The case drew major public attention as it unfolded in court. Hong Seo-beom and Jo Gap-kyung later issued a public apology, saying, "We are sorry to have disappointed many people in connection with our son's divorce case."
At the time, the couple said, "While reviewing the judgment and the course of the lawsuit, we confirmed that there were differences between what we had previously been told and the actual facts." They added, "As parents, we regret that we did not properly look after our child." They also said they would guide their son to faithfully fulfill the obligations ordered by the court, including damages and child support, and help him take responsibility for his granddaughter as well.
A, meanwhile, expressed disappointment with the couple's apology, saying, "They should have offered a sincere apology first to me, the child, and the family, not to the public." The appeals process was also delayed at times, including the postponement of hearing dates. A criticized B's side for its response and voiced frustration over the delays in the trial.
Hong Seo-beom and Jo Gap-kyung married in 1994 and have one son and two daughters. They have shared their daily lives through various family entertainment programs.
Jo Min-jeong, mj.cho@sportschosun.com
