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최태원-노소영 '세기의 이혼'…대법, 이번주 재산분할 결론

Choi Tae-won and Noh So-young's 'Divorce of the Century'… Supreme Court to Decide Property Division This Week

Newsis | Local Language | News | Oct. 13, 2025 | UndeterminedLegal Exposure

The Supreme Court is set to rule on October 16, 2025, in the high-profile divorce case between SK Group Chairman Choi Tae-won and Art Center Nabi director Noh So-young, focusing primarily on the division of approximately 1.3 trillion won worth of SK Group shares. Central issues include whether these shares are considered marital property and if former President Roh Tae-woo's alleged 30 billion won slush fund contributed to the growth of SK Group, impacting the property division and corporate governance.

The case has spanned over eight years since the initial mediation request in July 2017. The appellate court previously ruled in December 2023 that Chairman Choi must pay Director Noh 2 billion won in alimony and 1.3808 trillion won in property division, significantly increasing the amount from the first-instance court's ruling, which had awarded only 100 million won in alimony and 66.5 billion won in property division. The appellate court recognized evidence including a "Seongyeong 30 billion" memo and promissory notes, concluding the slush fund did flow into SK Group and that both Roh and Noh's contributions made the SK shares marital property.

Chairman Choi's side disputes the appellate court’s findings, asserting the shares are separate property given as a gift from his father and challenging the slush fund's alleged involvement. They also point to an appellate court correction increasing the valuation of DaeHan Telecom shares, a precursor to SK, from 100 won to 1,000 won each, claiming this correction was not reflected appropriately in the property division ratio and have filed a re-appeal.

The Supreme Court will review legal interpretations rather than factual findings. It can either uphold the appellate court’s decision, forcing Chairman Choi to divide the shares and potentially altering SK Group’s governance, or annul the ruling and remand for retrial. The court opted for a four-justice panel to decide the case and has not transferred it to a full bench despite its significance. The couple married in 1988, had three children, and separated after Chairman Choi publicly acknowledged fathering a child outside the marriage in 2015. Mediation attempts failed, leading to prolonged litigation with shifting positions from both parties.

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