SK Group relieved by Supreme Court's ruling to review Chairman Chey's divorce suit

▲ SK Group Chairman Chey Tae-won speaks during a public event at the National Assembly in Seoul on Oct. 15, 2025. (Yonhap)

▲ Lawyers of SK Group Chairman Chey Tae-won leave the Supreme Court in southern Seoul after the top court delivered a ruling on Chey's divorce case on Oct. 16, 2025. (Yonhap)

SK Group-divorce lawsuit

SK Group relieved by Supreme Court's ruling to review Chairman Chey's divorce suit

SEOUL, Oct. 16 (Yonhap) -- SK Group was relieved Thursday after the Supreme Court ordered a review of a lower court ruling in the high-profile divorce case involving its Chairman Chey Tae-won, officials said, paving the way for the tycoon to focus more on his business.

In May last year, the Seoul High Court ordered Chey, the chairman of South Korea's second-largest conglomerate, to pay 1.38 trillion won (US$971 million) in property division and 2 billion won in alimony to his estranged wife, Roh Soh-yeong, the only daughter of the late former President Roh Tae-woo.

In its Thursday ruling, the Supreme Court sent back the case to the appellate court, ordering a recalculation of the property division.

"We respect the Supreme Court's decision," Chey's attorney said in a release. "It is fortunate that the legal misunderstandings and factual errors in the appellate court's ruling have been corrected."

SK Group did not issue its official statement, but insiders said the company remained cautious yet optimistic that Chey has nearly overcome potential governance risks for the group.

The top court's decision spared Chey from the worst-case scenario of having to sell his stakes in SK affiliates to fund the 1.38 trillion-won payment, which could have jeopardized his control over the conglomerate spanning chemicals, telecommunications and semiconductors.

Chey holds a 17.9 percent stake in SK Inc., the group's holding company, but his control remains vulnerable as his combined stake, including that of friendly investors, is estimated at around 30 percent.

The Supreme Court ruled that the late former president's 30 billion-won financial support to Chey's father, previously recognized by the lower court, could not be considered part of Roh Soh-yeong's contribution to the couple's assets.

The nature of the 30 billion-won fund will be a key factor in recalculating the property division in the upcoming trial, which could reduce Chey's payment.

"As the trial has not yet concluded, we will do our best to prepare for the next hearing," Chey's attorney said. "We will take the next step after thoroughly reviewing the Supreme Court's ruling."

Having overcome a major personal hurdle, Chey is now expected to focus on accelerating his management initiatives.

Later Thursday, he is scheduled to depart for the United States to attend a gathering of global business leaders at the Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida at the invitation of SoftBank Chairman Masayoshi Son.

At the meeting, Chey will join other top business leaders, including Samsung Electronics Co. Chairman Lee Jae-yong, Hyundai Motor Group Chair Euisun Chung, LG Group Chairman Koo Kwang-mo and Hanwha Group Vice Chairman Kim Dong-kwan. They are reportedly set to discuss cooperation plans for the massive artificial intelligence (AI) infrastructure project known as Stargate.

Chey will also preside over the APEC CEO Summit slated for Oct. 28-31 in South Korea's southern city of Gyeongju.

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