Amid the news of director Hong Sang-soo (64) and actress Kim Min-hee (42) expecting a child, there are predictions in the legal community that the soon-to-be-born illegitimate child may inherit Hong's assets. Previously, it was reported that Hong inherited 120 billion won from his mother.
On the 17th, during YTN Radio's 'Consultation Office of Lawyer Jo In-seop', lawyer Kim Mi-ru noted, "Illegitimate children of Director Hong will inherit assets just like the illegitimate child of Lee Jung-woo," and explained, "Since illegitimate children are still considered offspring, they will inherently inherit based on the order of inheritance in Article 1 of the Civil Law, as direct descendants will be entitled heirs."
Previously, there were claims that Hong inherited 120 billion won from his mother. Hong's mother, the late Jeon Ok-soon, was a prominent figure in the film industry. She was the first female film producer in the popular arts sector and was also known for her publishing business in Japan.
Jo In-seop stated, "There are claims that Director Hong's mother, Jeon Ok-soon, bequeathed assets worth 120 billion won to him," adding, "It is not certain, but if Hong did inherit the assets, this illegitimate child also has inheritance rights."
In order for an illegitimate child to have legal rights, the 'acknowledgment' procedure must be followed. Given that Hong Sang-soo is presumed to have acknowledged the child, predictions suggest that the child could be registered as an illegitimate child in the family relationship register.
Lawyer Park Kyung-nae explained, "If Director Hong acknowledges the child, it can be registered in the family's relationship register as the father," adding, "Currently, Hong's partner will appear as a legal spouse in the register, but the child will be registered as well."
Lawyer Kim Mi-ru commented, "The basic inheritance ratio typically gives 1.5 to the spouse and 1 to the children, but various factors must be considered when inheriting, so the legal share is not set in stone." She added, "If Director Hong leaves a will stating that he wants to give all his assets to Kim Min-hee and the illegitimate child, the current spouse will likely only be able to claim a share of the inheritance."
She continued, "In the case of a share, only 50% of the legal share can be recognized, so it is expected that only a considerably smaller amount will be inherited."
Meanwhile, Director Hong and Kim Min-hee have been in an extramarital relationship for nine years. Hong filed for divorce, but lost in 2019. At the time, his wife stated, "I believe my husband will come back, and I will wait until then," expressing her intent not to divorce. Consequently, the court ruled that "the primary responsibility for the breakdown of the marriage lies with Hong Sang-soo, so his request for divorce is not permitted."