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Supreme Court Overturns 1.38 Trillion-Won Divorce Award to SK Chief Chey, Orders Recalculation

Justices ruled a 30 billion-won fund tied to Roh Tae-woo likely came from bribes, disqualifying it from the marital estate calculation.

Overview

  • The top court vacated the Seoul High Court’s property-division order and remanded the case for a new calculation, while upholding a 2 billion-won alimony award to Roh Soh-yeong.
  • The ruling found the alleged 30 billion-won transfer to the Chey family likely derived from bribery, so it cannot be recognized as a contribution to asset formation.
  • The remand instructs the appellate court to reassess the estate, excluding the disputed funds and certain SK shares previously donated to foundations and relatives.
  • The decision eases immediate financial and governance pressure on Chey Tae-won, who had faced potential share sales or pledges to fund the prior award.
  • Investors reacted quickly, with SK Inc. shares dropping roughly 5–7 percent on Oct. 16 as the eight-year case returns to the Seoul High Court for further proceedings.