*This content was translated by AI.
Hong Seo-beom and Cho Kap-kyung’s former daughter-in-law has secured a final partial victory in her fact-based marriage dissolution and damages lawsuit after it reached the Supreme Court.
According to StarNews, the Supreme Court’s Special Division 1 (acting) issued a ruling on the 10th dismissing Hong Seo-beom and Cho Kap-kyung’s former daughter-in-law A’s claim for damages arising from the dissolution of her de facto marriage with B, Hong Seo-beom and Cho Kap-kyung’s son.
A dismissal without substantive review means that when an appeal or retrial petition does not include specific reasons prescribed by law, it is rejected without a full trial on the merits. As a result, the second-instance judgment has been finalized.
In September 2024, A filed the lawsuit, alleging that B committed infidelity during their marital life, leading to the breakdown of their relationship. A claimed that just one month after becoming pregnant, B began an inappropriate relationship with a colleague teacher, sparking public surprise.
Subsequently, in September 2025, the first-instance court ruled that B was at fault and ordered him to pay 30 million won in consolation money and 800,000 won per month in child support. However, A rejected the verdict and filed an appeal, continuing a legal battle with B over whether his parents had neglected their duties and failed to provide child support.
The Daejeon Family Court’s Domestic Affairs Division 2 (acting), which handled the second instance, also ruled in favor of the plaintiff on June 25 this year. Despite this partial victory, A still refused to accept it. Consequently, she submitted an appeal petition in July contesting the second-instance ruling.
Throughout the lawsuit, A did not hide her anger toward the family.
Shortly after the second-instance verdict, A stated, “Is there really no law for victims? Even if I receive consolation money, because of money given under the guise of investment, I end up having to pay more, and child support remains unchanged. Will those offenders who appear on health programs, attend school regularly, and prepare for employment be helped to live well?”
She continued, “That’s why there are so many affairs. If adultery were still a criminal offense, he could have been arrested, and I would feel relieved. It’s so unjust.” She added, “Why must the victim suffer more losses? There is evidence that was not even uncovered; do I really have to hide it?”
A also said, “The mistress was scared and had her friend’s father threaten me. I pray she passes this year’s employment exam. I will inform the Education Office about everything. How can someone commit adultery in a school with many students and still act like a teacher?”
Later, on the 4th, A posted on her social media, “Send me child support.” When netizens asked for updates, she replied, “It’s just so unjust,” and “Ignore my messages.”
Notably, A also drew attention by discussing the lawsuit through YouTube’s “Yuraesuro” (Horizontal and Vertical Research).
A stated, “Some people view my intention to publicize this matter negatively. But one reason I wanted to share it is that my life has been completely ruined; I cannot properly raise my baby now, working day and night. Seeing them appear on broadcasts without any concern is simply unbearable.” She added, “They show no reaction on TV, ignore everything, and have never contacted me once.”
She further said, “Telling me not to use emotional appeals with their own bloodline sounds insane and makes me furious. I appealed the first-instance verdict only regarding consolation money and child support; I did not appeal the adultery itself. B also did not file an appeal.”
With tears in her eyes, A claimed, “(Hong Seo-beom and Cho Kap-kyung) always appeared as good parents on broadcasts, but they were not like that to me. While they never even saw their own granddaughter, they spent happy times with their niece or nephews abroad, acting completely indifferent. It’s hard to describe.”
Meanwhile, after the lawsuit became public, Hong Seo-beom and Cho Kap-kyung apologized: “We deeply bow our heads to apologize for the disappointment and inconvenience caused to the public regarding the recent reports about our son’s divorce lawsuit. After returning to Korea, we personally reviewed the court documents and the progress of the divorce proceedings, confirming with great seriousness that there were significant discrepancies between what we had been told and the actual situation.”
The couple added, “Regardless of the facts, out of respect for our adult son’s privacy and autonomy, we did not intervene in the divorce process. However, as parents, we deeply regret failing to closely examine our child’s mistakes. As public figures who failed to set a proper example, we sincerely reflect on this.” They continued, “Although the other party’s appeal is still ongoing, we will strictly instruct our son through his legal representative to promptly fulfill his obligations under the first-instance verdict, including child support and consolation money. Above all, we fully respect the other party’s decisions regarding the birth and upbringing of our granddaughter and will remain by our son’s side to ensure he fulfills his responsibilities as a father until the end.”
Responding to this statement, A said, “They’re apologizing not to the public but to themselves and their family. They only apologize publicly because it’s causing a stir. From their statement, they say ‘very different from my claims?’ No, everything is true; they’ll just speak vaguely because they don’t want to admit it and feel embarrassed. But this is their son’s fault. They must properly apologize for what they did to me and my family. It’s a fake apology, a forced apology. Their shameless attitude remains unchanged. I’ve been publicizing this on TV for three years now. Please, everyone, help us not let them disappear easily.”
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