Ko Ji-yong, in conflict with ex-wife over 'child support and visitation rights'..also in legal dispute with So Jae-won [Star Issue]

*This content was translated by AI.

Ko Ji-yong of the former group Sechs Kies and his ex-wife, family medicine specialist Heo Yang-im, are embroiled in a conflict over child support and visitation rights for their son, Seung-jae, and now face another legal dispute.

On the 18th, writer So Jae-won shared on her personal account a post stating, "Ko Ji-yong's side has filed a lawsuit against me," along with an article reporting that Ko Ji-yong had sued her.

Writer So Jae-won stated, "I wrote my thoughts and opinions on my personal SNS out of sorrow as a single father and hoping the child would not be hurt, based on media reports regarding unpaid child support." She added, "Ko Ji-yong's side referred to this as an 'interview' and issued a statement to the media as if I had indiscriminately spread false information. Let me make it clear: I have never conducted any direct interview with any media outlet."

So Jae-won continued, "After reviewing with my legal counsel, I confirmed that my article, which expressed opinions based on already reported news, has no legal issues whatsoever. On the contrary, Ko Ji-yong's side is the one distorting facts and spreading false information." She further stated, "They have filed a lawsuit against me for violating the Information and Communications Network Act (defamation). I will not evade this but will determine the truth through proper legal procedures. I too will firmly proceed with all necessary legal measures."

Earlier that day, writer So Jae-won shared content regarding visitation rights between Ko Ji-yong and his ex-wife Heo Yang-im on her personal account to express her stance. She said, "I kept seeing news about Ko Ji-yong, so I looked into it, and thinking of the child who might get hurt, I couldn't help but sigh." She added, "I was shocked upon reading reports that approximately 40 million won in child support remained unpaid. It is difficult to easily empathize with their excuse citing health deterioration, hospitalization, and worsening financial conditions. Regarding visitation rights, I fully understood the mother's position who is actively raising the child."

He also revealed that he himself is a single father with both parental authority and custody, stating, "I do not raise the child alone. Although the marital relationship ended through divorce, we still jointly raise the children together regarding their issues." He criticized Ko Ji-yong for failing to properly pay child support.

In response, Ko Ji-yong's side announced that they had filed a lawsuit against So Jae-won for posting an attack article. Consequently, writer So Jae-won also warned of legal countermeasures. According to the report, Ko Ji-yong's side explained, "We took action through proper legal procedures to prevent third parties who have no connection with Ko Ji-yong or his agency from spreading information that differs from the facts." It is reported that Ko Ji-yong's side filed a lawsuit against So Jae-won for violating the Act on Promotion of Information and Communications Network Utilization and Information Protection, etc. (defamation), while writer So Jae-won also announced legal proceedings, drawing attention to the escalating conflict between both parties.

Currently in a legal dispute with his ex-wife, Ko Ji-yong posted daily life photos on his personal account on the 18th to share his recent status. He shared updates about visiting the hospital with his pet dog, saying, "On the way back from the hospital. You or me." He added, "Doggram, old dog." This post indirectly conveys Ko Ji-yong's feelings, who had previously announced through an official statement that his health deteriorated due to liver cirrhosis, ascites, shock, and other conditions after divorce.

Ko Ji-yong married Heo Yang-im in 2013 and welcomed their son Seung-jae the following year. The Ko family later received widespread affection by appearing on KBS 2TV's parenting variety program "The Return of Superman." However, Ko Ji-yong and Heo Yang-im finalized a consensual divorce in April 2024 and recently announced the separation.

Ko Ji-yong and his ex-wife Heo Yang-im are currently engaged in a dispute over visitation rights following their divorce. According to their agency Mountain Movement Story, Ko Ji-yong filed an application for provisional disposition at Seoul Family Court on the 16th against Heo Yang-im, requesting that she be prohibited from obstructing visitation rights and posting photos or videos of their son. Through his agency, Ko Ji-yong stated, "On May 9 after divorce, I was rushed to the hospital in a critical state (severe liver cirrhosis, ascites, shock, etc.), and I had to prepare for death. Even during our marriage, my illness worsened, but we reached amicable agreements. For about two years, I was hospitalized multiple times, fighting alone while walking between life and death." He continued, "Yet they forced child support payments, applied for a preliminary injunction to freeze accounts and insurance policies, and sent formal notices specifying diligent compliance, but received no response."

Furthermore, Ko Ji-yong stated that he has already been paying regular child support, saying, "I could not tolerate their attitude of not showing the child, ignoring warnings about violations of the Child Welfare Act, and using the child for hospital promotion." He added, "I have endured various unspeakable things with my ex-wife. Although I sent response letters twice requesting that unpaid child support be paid in installments via formal notices, she filed a provisional disposition application on September 5, 2026, and sued for visitation rights adjudication, leaving me no choice but to stop ignoring it. I can no longer tolerate someone who is trying to recover their health and return to society being met with refusal of dialogue and lawsuits."

Heo Yang-im stated on her SNS on the 17th, "There was no separate agreement regarding regular visitation at the time of divorce." She added, "Recently, Ko Ji-yong claimed that I am unreasonably restricting my visitation rights for Seung-jae, so I have already filed a petition for visitation adjudication with the court. I plan to diligently proceed with visitation according to the court's future decision." It is reported that through this request, Heo Yang-im sought to negotiate specific dates and locations to request monthly visitation once a month.

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*This content was translated by AI.