SK Group chairman appeals divorce settlement to Supreme Court

SK Group Chairman Chey Tae-won has officially appealed a recent Seoul High Court ruling concerning his divorce settlement. The appellate court ordered Chey to pay 944 billion won, approximately US$668 million, to his former wife, Roh Soh-yeong, as part of their property division. This amount is a significant reduction from the 1.38 trillion won initially ordered by the first court. The appeal has been filed with the Supreme Court, signaling that the legal battle over the divorce settlement is far from over. The case has garnered considerable public attention due to the high stakes involved and the prominence of the individuals.

The Seoul High Court's decision in February had initially ordered Chey Tae-won to pay Roh Soh-yeong 1.38 trillion won, which was considered a landmark figure in South Korean divorce cases. However, the subsequent appeal by Chey led to the revised figure of 944 billion won. The grounds for the appeal and the potential outcome at the Supreme Court remain subjects of speculation, but the reduction in the settlement amount suggests a shift in the court's assessment of the marital assets and their division.

This legal dispute highlights the complexities of asset division in high-profile divorces, particularly when substantial corporate wealth is involved. The initial ruling had been seen as a victory for Roh Soh-yeong, who had sought a substantial portion of Chey's wealth, accumulated during their marriage. The appeal process at the Supreme Court will involve a review of the lower courts' decisions and could potentially lead to further adjustments in the settlement amount.