Singers Hong Seo-beom and Jo Gap-gyeong with their younger son and his wife. [TV Joseon capture]
Singers Hong Seo-beom and Jo Gap-gyeong with their younger son and his wife. [TV Joseon capture]

The former daughter-in-law of singers Hong Seo-beom and Jo Gap-gyeong has said she has not received child support since their divorce.

The woman, identified only as A, posted on social media Friday: "Please send the child support. You're leaving my messages on read."

She did not name the recipient, but the message was widely interpreted as directed at her ex-husband, the couple's younger son, surnamed Hong.

In September last year, A filed a lawsuit seeking 100 million won ($64,300) in damages and monthly child support of 1.1 million won, alleging that Hong had committed adultery during their marriage and abandoned the household, causing the relationship to break down irreparably. She said Hong had carried on an inappropriate relationship with a female colleague — a teacher — while she was in the early stages of pregnancy.

A court of first instance ordered Hong to pay 30 million won in consolation money and 800,000 won per month in child support. A also won a separate damages suit against the other woman, receiving a 20 million won award.

Hong appealed, but an appellate court last month upheld the original ruling.

In March, Hong Seo-beom and Jo Gap-gyeong issued an apology over their son's infidelity, saying they had refrained from intervening in the divorce proceedings out of respect for their adult son's privacy and autonomy, but that they deeply regretted failing as parents to keep a closer watch over his conduct. "We sincerely reflect on our failure to set a proper example as public figures," they said.

At the time, the couple also pledged to "guide him to fulfill his obligations to pay child support and damages as ordered by the court at the earliest opportunity."


paq@heraldcorp.com