Ko Ji-yong: "Relied on alcohol amid divorce preparations and fraud victimization… Rushed to ER with cirrhosis" [Interview ④]

*This content was translated by AI.View Original

Ko Ji-yong, a former member of the group JYJ, revealed his past reliance on alcohol while enduring a difficult period marked by his divorce and business fraud.

On the 5th, Ko met with StarNews at a cafe on Nonhyeon-ro in Gangnam-gu, Seoul, sharing candidly about concerns regarding his health condition.

Previously, Ko had been embroiled in rumors of health issues due to his gaunt appearance, and recently disclosed that he suffered from cirrhosis. Addressing this, he began by saying, "I have improved significantly now."

Ko stated, "The stress was intense at the time. I was preparing for my divorce and had also been defrauded in business matters, so I relied on alcohol," confessing, "At that point, I thought alcohol was my only escape."

He further revealed that he went through a mentally difficult time, noting, "It was not a situation where I could easily tell anyone that I was going to divorce."

In particular, Ko disclosed that he suffered from cirrhosis, stating, "I was even rushed to the emergency room and hospitalized," evoking sympathy.

Fortunately, he is currently recovering his health. He explained, "I am reducing my alcohol intake now. I visit my attending physician regularly and undergo abdominal ultrasound examinations while managing my condition consistently."

Ko married family medicine specialist Heo Yang-im in 2013 and had a son, Seung-jae, but they agreed to divorce in April 2024. Currently, Heo Yang-im holds custody and guardianship of Seung-jae.

Since then, the two have been engaged in legal disputes over issues such as visitation rights for Seung-jae. Ko's side applied for an injunction prohibiting interference with visitation and a ban on posting photos or videos of their child, claiming that visitation had not proceeded smoothly. Conversely, Heo Yang-im's side maintains that there was no separate agreement regarding regular visitation at the time of the divorce, and that she was the one who first filed a petition for a visitation ruling with the court.

Regarding this matter, Ko emphasized, "The issue currently being legally adjudicated is not about child support. It concerns visitation rights."

He continued, explaining, "There were times when my son was busy, and even when I tried to take him somewhere during my free time, we could not meet. The arrangements we had agreed upon for regular meetings have become meaningless," adding, "I am proceeding with legal procedures regarding that aspect."

He added, "Because the situation is ambiguous, I hope the court will clearly define the aspects related to visitation."

He revealed that he continues to stay in contact with his son, Seung-jae. Ko said, "I think I met Seung-jae two or three times this year," noting, "We talk on the phone and exchange messages via KakaoTalk, but the frequency of our in-person meetings has decreased."

He also expressed interest in his son by stating, "When Seung-jae recently returned from a math competition, I asked him if he had done well."

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*This content was translated by AI.View Original