'Pointing at the peak': Choi Dong-seok, did he participate in rumors of an affair with Park Ji-yoon? ... "Investigation of a witness" [Star Issue]

*This content was translated by AI.

It has been reported that broadcaster Choi Dong-seok and Park Ji-yoon, who have been engaged in legal confrontations through divorce lawsuits and other proceedings following their separation, are now escalating a back-and-forth lawsuit battle over rumors of an affair against each other.

According to a report by The Korea Economic Daily (Hankyung) on the 28th, the Seogwipo Police Station in Jeju is investigating Choi Dong-seok on charges of defamation against Park Ji-yoon. Park Ji-yoon's side has filed lawsuits against multiple anonymous poster authors for spreading malicious posts and rumors on online platforms in 2025, and it is understood that Choi Dong-seok is among the identified suspects.

In response, Choi Dong-seok's side stated, "We have not received any official contact regarding the aforementioned allegations and were only contacted for a witness investigation," and further refuted the claims by saying, "A friend of Park Ji-yoon posted a defamatory article about Choi Dong-seok and was investigated as a complainant."

The two met as members of the 30th class of KBS announcers in 2004 and married in 2009 after four years of dating. However, they filed for divorce mediation in October 2023, ending their 14-year marriage. Since then, both parties have engaged in mutual lawsuits over infidelity, each claiming "there was no misconduct." The two are also proceeding with the trial of the main divorce lawsuit case.

Park Ji-yoon stated, "For the sake of our children, I could not respond no matter how unjustly I felt. I have never committed adultery or any immoral acts during my marriage." She continued, "It is said that I became an immoral mother who traveled to the U.S. with my long-time male friend, A. At that time, Choi Dong-seok knew that I met a close friend I had known since high school while on a business trip to the U.S. Both he and I were well aware, including among our close acquaintances, that such a relationship between us could not exist. Spreading this to the media in a sensational manner is, in my view, nothing but despicable and shaming."

Choi Dong-seok also emphasized, "It is true that my friend was sued by Park Ji-yoon. However, there was absolutely no illegal activity during my marriage with Park Ji-yoon, and we will respond firmly to defamation based on false facts. The truth will be revealed in court, and the court's judgment will be made public transparently. Please refrain from speculation based on unconfirmed facts for now."

Subsequently, on the 15th, the Jeju District Court's Family Division 2-1 rejected both parties' claims in the judgment session for the lawsuits filed by each other regarding damages for infidelity. Following this, Choi Dong-seok, who appealed the decision, is scheduled to begin his first trial in July at the Jeju District Court's Family Division 1-1 (Case No. 1) for his lawsuit seeking damages for infidelity against Park Ji-yoon's friend, A. In the second instance, which was transferred due to Choi Dong-seok's appeal, Park Ji-yoon was removed as a defendant, and only A remained as the opposing party. Since Park Ji-yoon did not contest the lawsuit results, the judgment was ultimately finalized.

This lawsuit began when Park Ji-yoon first filed a complaint against Choi Dong-seok's friend, B, in July 2024. The dispute intensified when Choi Dong-seok filed a counter-lawsuit in September 2024, claiming that "the marital relationship collapsed due to Park Ji-yoon's misconduct," just ahead of the second trial session.

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*This content was translated by AI.