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| ▲ South Korean actor Kim Yong-gun enters the award ceremony for the 2015 Entertainment Awards of the public broadcaster MBC in Seoul on Dec. 29, 2015. (Yonhap) |
SEOUL, Aug. 2 (Yonhap) -- Veteran actor Kim Yong-gun (75), the father of top actor Ha Jung-woo, has been embroiled in premarital pregnancy scandal after his 36-year-old girlfriend announced on Monday that she is pregnant with the actor's child.
Kim's girlfriend, who is identified as A, accused Kim Yong-gun of attempting to pressure her to have an abortion. Kim and A's affairs became known to the public after it was reported to the media.
The 75-year-old actor acknowledged the pregnancy and lawsuit matters in a statement released through his legal representative, saying, "We will do our best to recover A's pains, give birth and help nurture the healthy child afterwards."
Debuting as an actor on KBS in 1967, Kim has long been loved for his performances in various films, dramas and entertainment programs. The actor married his ex-wife in 1977 and had two sons, actor Ha Jung-woo (real name Kim Sung-hoon) and Cha Hyun-woo (real name Kim Young-hoon). The couple later divorced in 1996.
Kim and his 39 year younger girlfriend have been involved in a relationship since 2008, but the conflict reportedly began when A told her pregnancy news to Kim, who then opposed the birth of the child.
In Kim's statement, the actor said that he heard from A in early April that she was four weeks pregnant. "I was more surprised and worried for the both of us because we weren't at a stage where we had promised or planned to create a future together," adding, "I tried begging, complaining, and got angry as well."
However, after losing contact with A, Kim said, "I came to realize that my soon-to-be child is more precious than my status, so I informed my sons of the pregnancy news. After receiving their support, I contacted A and her lawyer several times to tell them I would fulfill my responsibility as the father."
In response, during a phone call with Yonhap News Agency, A's lawyer said, "There are many parts of Kim's statement that are different from the truth. Kim needs to reflect on his wrongdoings and deliver a sincere apology to A. However, a legal procedure will be taken place."
A reportedly attended the police last week to complete her investigation as the complainant.
Kim Yong-gun is also expected to respond to the police investigation, saying, "If part of my actions have violated the law, I will take responsibility."
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