[Newsmaker] SK chairman to divorce, admits to affair

SK Group chairman Chey Tae-won has revealed that he “has a child with another woman” and plans to divorce his wife Roh Soh-yeong, personally putting an end to the speculations surrounding his shaky marriage.

In a three-page letter to the daily Segye Ilbo, which was confirmed by SK Group on Tuesday, Chey said his marriage with Roh “had been falling apart over the past 10 years” despite “several efforts to restore the relationship.” 

While the two were “discussing a divorce after agreeing that the marriage cannot be sustained,” Chey said he “met a consoling partner” and “had a child with her during the summer several years ago.” The child is reportedly a 6-year-old daughter.

“I plan to put a clean end to my relationship with Roh and take full responsibility for my young child and the mother of that child,” he said, noting company matters, including probes by prosecutors, had led him to delay legal measures with no conclusive action for several years.

Chey first met Roh, the daughter of former South Korean President Roh Tae-woo, while studying at the University of Chicago in the U.S. Drawing public attention, the two were married in 1988 and had two daughters and a son.

As their marriage began to deteriorate, the two were reported to have parted ways and agreed to divorce 10 years ago.

“As is widely known, we have not been living together for a long time,” Chey said. “Though we can no longer continue our relationship as husband and wife, I would like to remain a good friend (to Roh) and do everything I can to heal the wounds I have caused for my children.”

Since his release from prison following a presidential pardon in August this year, Chey has reportedly been staying with his new partner in Seoul. Roh, the director of Art Center Nabi, has been living in a villa inside the Sheraton Walkerhill hotel.

Concluding his letter, the SK chairman said he would now “put away all anxiety regarding his misdeeds and direct all his energy toward serving customers, clients, shareholders, partnering firms and the South Korean economy.”

“As a public figure who must help build up a healthy society, I make these confessions, ready to receive any criticisms and denouncements.”

Upon hearing news of Chey’s letter on Tuesday, Roh reportedly said she “will not divorce (Chey),” claiming she is “wholly responsible for the mishap” and that her “husband is the biggest victim.”

Roh was quoted by a news outlet as responding that she “has been thinking selfishly without being considerate of her partner’s emotions and that she hurt many people, particularly her husband.”

By Sohn Ji-young (jys@heraldcorp.com)