[Comprehensive] Former announcer and broadcaster Park Ji-yoon and Choi Dong-seok have received a first-instance ruling from the court regarding the damages claims they filed against each other for emotional distress caused by an alleged affair.
On the 27th, the Jeju District Court Family Division 2 announced its ruling on the damages claims filed by Choi Dong-seok against Park Ji-yoon and acquaintance A, and by Park Ji-yoon against Choi Dong-seok and acquaintance B. This ruling attracted public attention as it arose from a separate legal dispute during divorce proceedings; however, due to the nature of family litigation, the specific ruling orders and details were kept confidential.
The fierce legal battle between the two began in July 2024 when Park Ji-yoon first filed a lawsuit against Choi Dong-seok's female acquaintance. In response, Choi Dong-seok also filed a counter-lawsuit against Park Ji-yoon and a male acquaintance, escalating the conflict. The court has been consolidating the two cases for consideration due to their relatedness, and all arguments were concluded last November.
During the litigation process, both sides strongly denied the allegations of an affair, stating "there were no illegal acts during the marriage". Choi Dong-seok's side indicated a strong response to defamation, while Park Ji-yoon's side emphasized that there was no misconduct during the marriage or even during the lawsuit, maintaining a tense standoff.
The couple, who married in 2009 and have one son and one daughter, announced their separation in October 2023, 14 years after their marriage. Currently, Park Ji-yoon has secured custody and parental rights over the children, while Choi Dong-seok is reportedly maintaining regular meetings with the children through visitation rights.
While this ruling has brought an end to the affair-related disputes, public interest in the remaining procedures regarding the couple's divorce mediation and property division remains high.
