SK chairman's divorce case nears final ruling

After nine years of legal proceedings, the divorce and asset division dispute between SK Group Chairman Chey Tae-won and Art Center Nabi Director Roh Soh-yeong seems to be closing in on a resolution. The clock is ticking, as the deadline for either party to appeal the high court's retrial ruling on asset division approaches midnight on August 14th.

If neither side opts to appeal, Chey will be obligated to pay Roh 944 billion won ($670 million), effectively concluding their protracted legal conflict. In the event of an appeal, the Supreme Court will once again take charge, prolonging the saga that commenced in 2017 when Chey initiated divorce mediation. According to court documents, their actual separation commenced in 2005 when they began residing in distinct areas within their home in Seoul.

Chey has attributed the dissolution of their marriage, in part, to the passing of his mother in 1997 and his father, former SK Group Chairman Chey Jong-hyon, who died the following year. Chey has further alleged that Roh did not offer him adequate emotional support during this trying period. In 2003, Chey faced arrest due to an accounting fraud scandal.