Singer couple Hong Seo-beom and Jo Gap-gyeong apologized over the recent controversy surrounding their son's alleged affair.
Hong Seo-beom and Jo Gap-gyeong said in a statement released on the 28th, "We bow our heads in deep apology to the public for the disappointment and discomfort caused in connection with our son's divorce lawsuit that was recently reported."
They added, "We personally reviewed the judgment and other related materials and the course of the divorce proceedings," and "We soberly confirmed that there is a slight discrepancy between what we had been told and the facts."
The couple said, "Regardless of the facts, we did not intervene in the divorce process because we believed in respecting the privacy and autonomy of our adult son," adding, "As parents, we ultimately fell short in closely recognizing our child's faults. We sincerely reflect on not setting an example as public figures."
They said, "Although there are many points that differ from the other party's claims and the appeal trial is underway due to the other party's appeal, we will strictly guide our son through his legal representative so that his obligations under the first-instance ruling, including child support and damages, can be promptly fulfilled."
They also said, "Above all, we fully respect the other party's decisions regarding our granddaughter's birth and upbringing," and, "We will stay by our son's side to ensure he fulfills his responsibilities to the end as the father of a child."
Earlier, a claim surfaced that the son of Hong Seo-beom and Jo Gap-gyeong, identified as A, had an affair, leading to the breakdown of a de facto marriage. The Daejeon Family Court in September last year ruled partly in favor of the plaintiff in a damages lawsuit filed by B, A's de facto spouse, ordering, "A must pay B 30 million won in damages." The court also ordered A to pay 800,000 won per month in child support.
The case is on appeal. B argued that A committed an affair during their de facto marriage and that child support is currently not being paid properly.