SK Group Chairman Chey Tae-won appeals non-indictment of lawyer

SK Group Chairman Chey Tae-won has filed an appeal against a prosecution decision not to indict a lawyer representing Noh So-young, director of Art Center Nabi. The legal dispute stems from a 2023 statement made by the lawyer, who claimed that Chey had spent over 100 billion won on a companion since 2015.

Chey’s legal team argues that the 100 billion won figure is a gross exaggeration, claiming actual living expenses for his companion amounted to approximately 2 billion won. They contend that the larger figure incorrectly includes various other expenditures, such as donations to public foundations, funds provided to Noh So-young and her three children, and assets like real estate and artwork held in Chey’s name.

The Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office previously decided not to prosecute the lawyer for defamation due to insufficient evidence, noting that the claims appeared to have some basis. However, Chey’s representatives emphasized that the decision did not validate the accuracy of the 100 billion won figure and argued that the lawyer's statements were intended to influence public opinion regarding ongoing asset division litigation.