Korean Court Partially Sides With Ex-Wife in Dispute Involving Prominent Footballer and Parents’ Divorce Apology

A South Korean court has delivered a partially favorable ruling to a woman in a damages dispute tied to her divorce from a well-known professional soccer player, according to reports. The case, which has drawn public attention due to the man’s parents—singer couple Hong Seo-beom and Jo Gap-gyeong—revolved around allegations that the marriage collapsed after an alleged affair during early pregnancy and continued litigation over financial responsibility.

Court decision comes in appeal trial

On June 25, 2026 (KST), the Daejeon Family Court ruled in the appeal stage partially for the ex-wife—identified in coverage as Woman A—against the soccer player, reported as Man B (and known publicly as Hong Seok-jun), along with his parents, Hong Seo-beom and Jo Gap-gyeong, the outlet KoreaBoo reported, citing Star News.

The original lawsuit was filed in September 2024, and Woman A sought damages connected to the breakdown of her relationship with Hong Seok-jun. She alleged that the soccer player had an inappropriate relationship with a fellow teacher just one month after she became pregnant—an accusation that became central to the litigation and the public narrative around the divorce.

Initial ruling found the soccer player at fault

In the first trial, which concluded in September 2025, the court found Hong Seok-jun at fault for the collapse of the relationship. The decision ordered him to pay ₩30 million KRW (about $19,500) in alimony and also require monthly child support payments of ₩800,000 KRW (about $521), according to the report.

Woman A appealed, stating she could not accept the outcome. During the appeals process, the dispute expanded beyond the question of fault, with both sides reportedly contesting issues including allegations of inaction by the parents and whether child support payments had been made as required.

Parents apologize publicly—then criticism follows

As the controversy intensified, Hong Seo-beom and Jo Gap-gyeong issued a public apology related to their son’s divorce lawsuit. In their statement, released amid growing scrutiny, they said that after returning to Korea they reviewed the ruling and related documents and concluded there had been differences between what they had been told and what the report characterized as the actual facts.

They also stated they would instruct their son, through legal representation, to ensure obligations from the first trial—particularly child support and alimony—are carried out promptly. While they emphasized respecting their adult son’s privacy and autonomy, they acknowledged that they “failed to closely examine” their child’s wrongdoing. The apology was framed as regret not only for the upset caused to the public, but also as an attempt to correct misinformation surrounding the case.

Woman A responded angrily, the report said, arguing the apology should have been directed privately to her and her family rather than made public. She criticized the timing and intent of the parents’ message, according to the coverage.

Why the case drew wider public attention

The dispute gained broader attention after it was covered in April by the YouTube channel Garo Sero Institute. During that earlier coverage, Woman A explained her rationale for speaking publicly, including the idea that her life had been “completely ruined” and that she struggled to raise the child while working extensively. The report also claimed she objected to portrayals of the families involved as functioning happily or as “good parents” despite the ongoing dispute.

The appeal trial reportedly included three rounds of arguments, indicating that the court addressed multiple contested points rather than focusing on only one question. The underlying matter continues to be unresolved in full terms because the report states the other party’s appeal trial is still ongoing.

What happens next

For now, the Daejeon Family Court’s decision in the appeal stage is described as partially in Woman A’s favor, but the broader legal fight is not over. With further proceedings still expected, the next phase will likely focus on the remaining issues disputed by both sides—particularly financial responsibility and the extent to which various parties are held liable.

Public attention also remains a factor. As the case continues, it could set an additional precedent for how courts evaluate early-pregnancy allegations, marital fault claims, and the role of extended family members in damages suits—especially when those individuals are public figures.

Source: KoreaBoo / Star News coverage as summarized in the digest article.