The Seoul High Court has overturned a lower-court decision in a case linked to actor Choi Jung-won, ruling that the woman identified as “A” did not commit marital misconduct. Her team says she has suffered under a damaging label and is asking outlets to correct the record.
In a statement on the 22nd, attorney Noh Jong-eon of law firm Jonjae said the appeals court concluded that A’s relationship with Choi did not amount to an affair and that the responsibility for the marriage’s collapse lay instead with the husband’s coercive behavior―reversing the trial court’s ruling.
Previously, the first-instance court had deemed A’s meetings with Choi an act of infidelity, placed primary blame for the marital breakdown on A, and ordered her to pay 30 million won in damages.
The appellate panel wrote that it was difficult to find that A and Choi went beyond a simple friendship to the level of violating the duty of fidelity or that their interactions led to the collapse of the marriage. Rather, it found the marriage broke down as the husband maintained a coercive stance while attempting to resolve the conflict.
A’s side also described the toll of being branded “other woman.”
“A’s health deteriorated to the point that maintaining her job became difficult, and she continues to battle health issues while getting through each day for her child,” the statement said. “Because the Supreme Court generally reviews legal issues rather than reexamining facts, the Seoul High Court’s ruling is likely to serve as the practical final word. Reports implying that Choi Jung-won and A were in an affair should be corrected.”
A’s ex-husband “B” criticized the appeals court on social media, reiterated his claims against A, and said he plans to appeal to the Supreme Court.
(SBS Entertainment News | Kang Kyung-youn)