Actor Jung Woo Sung has been criticized for not marrying Moon Ga Bi, the mother of his child, but legal experts have shared a deeper reason behind his decision.
On November 26th, a video titled "Why Jung Woo Sung Refuses to Marry, Even if He Gets Criticized (feat. 13-Year Divorce Lawyer)" was posted on lawyer Ahn Se Hoon's YouTube channel, Good Lawyer - Research Institute for Gender Issues [An Byun TV].
In the video, Ahn discusses Jung Woo Sung’s reasons from a legal standpoint, explaining that the actor's decision is not simply to avoid marriage but comes with significant legal concerns.
Ahn said, "Jung Woo Sung has a real reason for refusing to marry, despite the harsh criticism. It's not about avoiding marriage; there's a serious reason behind it."
He went on to explain, "Jung Woo Sung only acknowledges himself as the biological father of the child. He is not interested in becoming Moon Ga Bi's husband or the father of her child in a legal sense. He has made it clear that while he will support the child financially, he will not marry. For someone like Jung Woo Sung, marriage could be a huge risk. Is it fair to criticize him for that?"
Ahn clarified, "The key issue is whether marriage is the only way to take responsibility. Jung Woo Sung is saying, 'Yes, I will take responsibility, but marriage is not the solution.' While this may contrast with his public image of supporting causes like refugee rights, his decision not to marry or fully embrace the role of father can come across as harsh or even cold. But legally, his choice makes sense."
Ahn then discussed Jung Woo Sung's wealth, which is estimated based on public reports. According to a 2021 blog post, Jung Woo Sung earns over 700 million KRW per commercial and has an estimated total wealth of around 60 billion KRW, including advertising revenue and real estate holdings.
Ahn explained the legal risks involved in marriage, particularly the "5-year efficiency, 10-year promise" rule in Korean divorce law.
He said, "If Jung Woo Sung married and then divorced after living together for 5 years, he would have to give 30% of his wealth. After 10 years, this increases to 50%." In the worst-case scenario, Jung Woo Sung could be required to give up to 30 billion KRW, or even more.
On the other hand, Ahn pointed out that paying child support is a more manageable option. In Korea, the highest child support bracket is 12 million KRW per month, though it could vary depending on the case.
However, no matter the amount, the payments will not exceed 3 million KRW per month. This allows Jung Woo Sung to fulfill his financial responsibilities without the significant risk of asset division in the event of a divorce.
Source: [1]
