'Kim Dong-sung ♥' In Min-jeong declares, "I will use profits from group purchases to supplement child support" [Star Issue]

*This content was translated by AI.

Former short track national team athlete Kim Dong-sung's wife, In Min-jeong, announced that she would contribute to resolving the issue of his child support payments.

On the 15th, In Min-jeong stated, "I plan to carefully prepare and launch group purchases in the future," adding, "Starting with what I can do, one step at a time, I want to fulfill my responsibilities and cautiously begin again."

She continued, "I am also working hard at construction sites. The net profits generated from the upcoming group purchases will be used to supplement child support payments. Until the day Kim Dong-sung fulfills his responsibility, I will do my best by his side."

Kim Dong-sung divorced his former wife, Ms. O, in 2018 after 14 years of marriage in 2004. Later, in 2021, he appeared on TV CHOSUN's "We Divorced" with In Min-jeong, whom he met after the divorce, and announced their marriage registration in May 2021.

Kim Dong-sung had his personal information exposed on the Bad Fathers website in 2020, and in December 2022, his name was added to the list of child support defaulters published by the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family.

Regarding this, Kim Dong-sung stated, "I have never evaded my parental responsibilities. At the time of the initial divorce, I agreed to pay 3 million won in child support monthly as requested by the other party, and even after the divorce, I have shared various expenses such as car rental fees and living costs in addition to child support." He added, "However, significant debt accumulated during this process, and as my financial situation deteriorated rapidly, I adjusted the child support payment to 1.6 million won. Despite this, I have continuously strived to make these payments."

He further explained, "Whenever my TV appearances were confirmed or coaching jobs began, media reports and interviews with my former spouse followed repeatedly, leading to cancellations of already scheduled appearances and interruptions in ongoing professional activities. Ultimately, the livelihood foundation I maintained collapsed, making it realistically difficult to continue paying child support." He noted, "Without specialized skills or work experience, finding new employment was not easy. The only option available during that period was day labor."

The Suwon District Prosecution Service filed a non-custodial indictment against Kim Dong-sung in October 2025 on these charges. It is reported that he failed to pay child support for his two children, raised by his ex-wife A, from 2019 to the present, amounting to over 100 million won. Ms. A, the custodial parent, filed a lawsuit seeking enforcement of child support payments against Kim Dong-sung starting in 2020. Despite receiving a 30-day detention order from the court in 2022 due to his failure to pay child support, he still had not paid 80.1 million won after one year, leading to this indictment.

Subsequently, the Prosecution Service requested a four-month prison sentence for Kim Dong-sung. In December 2025, the Suwon District Court's Criminal Division 14-1 sentenced him to six months in prison for violating the Act on the Assurance and Support of Child Support Payments. However, the court stated, "Rather than detaining the defendant immediately, compelling the payment of outstanding child support within a reasonable timeframe appears more appropriate for protecting the minor children," and thus did not order his immediate detention.

The court ruled, "Although the defendant was ordered in 2018 to pay 3 million won monthly to his two minor children upon divorce from his spouse, he only made partial payments." It further noted, "Child support was reduced to 1.6 million won at his request, and after a detention order was issued following his ex-spouse's application, he paid some of the outstanding child support but has not paid anything for approximately three years and ten months since then."

The court added, "By the time of this sentencing, the total amount of unpaid child support appears to be substantial. Considering the defendant's age, career history, health, and the reduced child support amount, there does not appear to be a legitimate reason for his failure to pay." It concluded, "It seems that maintaining his own standard of living takes priority over paying child support to his children. He has only mentioned vague payment plans so far, raising doubts about whether he possesses the realistic will to fulfill these obligations."

The court stated, "Considering that the ex-spouse is requesting a severe punishment, a prison sentence commensurate with the crime is necessary." It further warned, "Although not detained in court, if he fails to meet his payment obligation even through the appeal trial, he may face imprisonment."

However, Kim Dong-sung appealed against the first-instance verdict, and his ex-wife submitted a petition to the court, urging severe punishment for him.

During the subsequent sentencing hearing, Kim Dong-sung's lawyer argued in his final statement, "The defendant sincerely regrets his failure to pay child support." He pleaded, "He has been preparing to repay by working as a day laborer before the sentencing date; please show leniency." Kim Dong-sung also made a final statement, saying, "I did not intentionally withhold child support. Due to my inability to work, child support payments have accumulated significantly. Even if it takes time, I will strive to take responsibility and pay the overdue child support while working as a day laborer."

The Prosecution Service requested that the court reject Kim Dong-sung's appeal.

Subsequently, the Suwon District Court Criminal Appeal Division 6-1 cancelled the scheduled sentencing for Kim Dong-sung's appeal regarding violations of the Act on the Assurance and Support of Child Support Payments, which was set for the 11th, and decided to resume arguments. The date for the resumed arguments has not yet been determined.

Meanwhile, Kim Dong-sung was a prominent star who served as a short track national team athlete from 1995 to 2005. He won a gold medal in the 1000m and a silver medal in the 5000m relay at the 1998 Nagano Winter Olympics. Recently, he also announced that he had obtained a short track coaching certification.

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*This content was translated by AI.