Billion-Dollar Dynasty Divorce Ends With $644 Million Award
Synopsis
A South Korean court ordered SK Group Chairman Chey Tae-won to make a record payout to his former wife.
South Korea's Supreme Court has finalized a decision regarding the payment of 884.8 billion won ($644 million) to former wife Roh So-yeong, concluding the divorce case between SK Group chairman Chey Tae-won.
The verdict puts a definitive end to a long and protracted divorce battle, during which the value of SK Group's semiconductor business significantly increased due to the global surge in artificial intelligence.
The Supreme Court upheld the lower court's revised division of assets, thereby rejecting Chey's final appeal. Chey had filed for divorce with Roh in 1988 and initiated the legal proceedings in 2015 upon announcing that he had fathered a child outside of their marriage.
Case Closely Watched by Global Investors
The divorce settlement of Chey Tae-won generated immense global interest because Chey holds a significant controlling stake in SK Inc., the second-largest South Korean conglomerate by assets after Samsung Group.
SK Group is a diversified entity with over 200 businesses spanning semiconductors, energy, telecommunications, chemicals, and life sciences.
A key factor drawing investor attention is SK hynix, one of the world's leading manufacturers of memory chips and a major supplier of high-bandwidth memory (HBM) chips, essential for artificial intelligence servers.
According to SK hynix's 2025 Annual Report, the company achieved a record high in revenue and operating profit in 2025, reaching 66.19 trillion won and 23.47 trillion won respectively.
The broader semiconductor industry is also experiencing rapid growth, with global semiconductor revenue climbing by 21% in 2025 to $655.9 billion, largely driven by demand for AI-related products, as reported by Gartner.
South Korea remains a global powerhouse in semiconductor production alongside Taiwan and the United States. Japan, China, and several European countries are also heavily investing in cutting-edge chip manufacturing.
Personal Case, Corporate Impact
During the proceedings, Roh, daughter of former South Korean President Roh Tae-woo, contended that she actively contributed to the growth and sustenance of the family's business during their marriage. The courts subsequently awarded her a significantly larger portion of the marital assets than in the initial judgment.
SK Group has stated that the $644 million ruling over the personal divorce case of its chairman has no bearing on the company's management or operations. Chey's control over SK Group will remain unaffected as the settlement can be paid in cash.
Source: Yahoo Finance
Pooja Malik is a business journalist with over six years of experience covering startups, entrepreneurship, and emerging trends. She has previously worked with leading media platforms such as YourStory Media and BW BusinessWorld, where she reported on business, policy, and market developments. Currently, she serves as Editor at The Inspirepreneur Magazine, where she writes and edits stories across business, lifestyle, and travel, with a focus on clarity, accuracy, and reader relevance.
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