Kim Ji-yeon and Lotte Jung Cheol-won declined to comment, saying, "I'm sorry to the club, I don't want it to be an issue for my child."

*This content was translated by AI.

As head coach Kim Tae-hyung said, there is no good day for wind. After a satisfactory season after moving, he even got married, but he was embroiled in controversy just a month later. Another statement from spouse Kim Ji-yeon about Jung Chul-won (27, Lotte Giants) was released.

Hadden, a law firm that served as Kim Ji-yeon's legal representative, said on the 2nd, "There are currently a lot of speculative rumors about the case, and many cases of secondary damage are confirmed, including false facts," adding, "In particular, Chung Chul-won's side also mentioned custody through his legal representative, so he expresses his official position on behalf of Kim Ji-yeon."

Jung Cheol-won, who joined Doosan in 2018, made his professional debut late in 2022, but Jeong Cheol-won, who won the Rookie of the Year by posting 23 holds, played a must-win role with 8 wins, 3 losses and 21 holds in 75 games after being traded to Lotte in 2025.

After the end of the season, Jung Cheol-won signed an annual salary contract of 180 million won, up 50% from 120 million won.

However, on the 24th of last month, a day before leaving Taiwan's Tainan 1st spring camp, Kim Ji-yeon disclosed her marital life through her social networking service (SNS). The two had a son who gave birth in August last year due to premarital pregnancy, and according to Kim Ji-yeon, they were in conflict over the cost of living and the sharing of childcare, and Jeong Cheol-won mentioned that he was filing a custody lawsuit. In 2018, he made his face known by appearing on Mnet's love reality program "Love Catcher," so the revelation through SNS was more influential.

Jeong Cheol-won, who left the first spring camp in Tainan, Taiwan via Gimhae International Airport on the 25th, politely declined to interview reporters.

Coach Kim Tae-hyung, who left for Tainan, Taiwan via Incheon International Airport two days later, said through reporters, "It's a matter of privacy. "What can I do?" he said. "I don't have anything to say, but I'll tell you when I come in. It won't be easy to concentrate psychologically. I think I have to pat him on the back," he said.

With the intention of focusing on the camp, Jeong Cheol-won left everything to his legal representative and boarded a flight to Taiwan.

However, as an additional statement came out that day, the embers reignited once again, with Jung Cheol-won's will differently. It raised the possibility of extramarital affairs as well as domestic violence. "Kim Ji-yeon has been constantly suffering from domestic violence while raising a young child since marriage," Haddon said. "Many people recently reported the suspected affair of Jung Chul-won."

"Nevertheless, Kim Ji-yeon tried to solve the problem and maintain the marriage relationship in the most smooth way with her child in mind, but she is frustrated that the child's father stopped paying child support after leaving the child and mentioned divorce and custody through his legal representative," he said.

It was also clearly stated that protecting the child and having custody were the top priorities in proceeding with all these procedures. "This case is just a personal affair, and I sincerely ask you to help me avoid any damage to Jung Chul-won's club or fellow players," Haddon said. "We also ask you to refrain from spreading malicious rumors so that a growing child can grow up happily with his mother, and we will take strong legal action against these actions in the future."

This idea is the same for Chung Cheol-won. He didn't want to be an issue with something unsavory when he had to prepare for the new season. We also confirmed the statement, but decided not to respond further.

In a phone call with Star News, Lotte said, "Jung Chul-won was very careful about making his position in this regard and politely declined," adding, "I'm sorry for the club that it keeps becoming an issue and I don't want it to be an issue anymore for my child." "There is a legal procedure left, so I think I will replace the position through the results," he said.

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*This content was translated by AI.