Archive · 25 Jul 2026
Court reduces $644M payout in SK Group divorce case
A South Korean court reduced the divorce settlement for SK Group chairman Chey Tae-won to his former wife Roh Soh-yeong from $940 million to $644 million.
The court decided that a slush fund linked to Roh's father, which was previously included, should not be considered part of their marital assets because it came from illegal bribes.
Despite the reduction, Roh is still entitled to a significant amount due to her contributions to the family and the business.
The case, known as the 'divorce of the century,' has been ongoing since 2022 and can still be appealed.
The Seoul High Court reduced Chey Tae-won's divorce settlement to Roh Soh-yeong from $940 million to $644 million.
The reduction was based on the exclusion of a slush fund linked to Roh's father, deemed illegal.
Roh is entitled to one-third of the couple's marital assets for her financial and non-financial contributions.
Chey's stake in SK Group is worth around $5.5 billion, with significant growth since 2015.
The divorce case, which began in 2017, has been in court since 2022 and can still be appealed.
- Who
- Chey Tae-won and Roh Soh-yeong
- What
- Divorce settlement reduction
- When
- 2024
- Where
- Seoul High Court, South Korea
- Why
- Due to a legal shift regarding the inclusion of a slush fund in marital assets
Roh Soh-yeong's Legal Team
Chey Tae-won's Legal Team
Inclusion of Slush Fund
Roh Soh-yeong's Legal Team
The slush fund linked to Roh's father should be considered part of marital assets.
Chey Tae-won's Legal Team
The slush fund was derived from illegal bribes and should not be included in marital assets.
Division of Wealth
Roh Soh-yeong's Legal Team
Roh should receive a significant portion of the marital assets due to her contributions.
Chey Tae-won's Legal Team
The division of wealth should be based on legal and properly acquired assets only.
- Original Settlement Amount
- 1.38 trillion won ($940 million)
- Reduced Settlement Amount
- 944 billion won ($644 million)
- Date of Reduced Settlement
- 2024
- Chey Tae-won's Stake in SK Group
- $5.5 billion
- Alimony Ordered
- 2 billion won
- Marriage Duration
- 1988-2017
- Legal Battle Duration
- Since 2022
