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[Alpha Biz=(Chicago) Reporter Paul Lee] Art center director Roh So-young, who is seeking divorce from SK Group Chairman Choi Tae-won, claimed that Choi spent more than 100 billion won on Kim in a 3 billion won alimony suit filed against Choi's roommate Kim Hee-young, chairman of the T&C Foundation.
Kim's side countered that it was "defamation through the publication of clear false information."
The Family Affairs Agreement Department 4 (Senior Judge Lee Kwang-woo) at the Seoul Family Court on the 23rd held the first hearing preparation date for the damage suit filed by Roh against Chairman Kim behind closed doors.
Director Roh's representative met with reporters after the trial and said, "Choi has been found to have spent more than 100 billion won since Chairman Choi revealed his relationship with Chairman Kim in 2015."
"I think Director Roh and his children are many times more than Choi's spending while living as family members," he added. "It was surprising that the amount was very large as an agent."
As for the details of the spending, he claimed, "Some money went to the T&C Foundation, some cash was transferred directly to accounts of relatives, or some were paid by credit card."
The agent said, "The defendant will also need an explanation because it does not seem to have paid the gift tax," and added, "If the benefits are large from adultery, it should also be considered in calculating the alimony of the divorce suit."
Regarding Kim's claim that the statute of limitations to hold the other party responsible for the wrongdoing has expired under the Supreme Court ruling because three years have passed since Roh filed the divorce suit, he countered, "The divorce has yet to be finalized, so the statute of limitations is not being calculated."
In response, Chairman Kim's representative issued a statement, saying, "Director Roh has announced false information that directly violates the current law," adding, "Not only does 100 billion won have no basis at all, but it is also false that it has been confirmed as evidence."
The formal hearing of the case is due to take place on January 18 next year.
AlphaBIZ 폴 리(hoondork1977@alphabiz.co.kr)
