SK Group Chairman Chey Tae-won Ordered to Pay $6.4 Billion in Divorce Settlement

A Seoul high court ruled that SK Group chairman Chey Tae-won must pay his former wife Roh Soh‑yeong approximately 9.44 trillion won (about $6.4 billion) as part of their divorce settlement. The payment will be made in cash rather than a transfer of SK Group or SK Hynix shares, allowing Chey to retain full control of the semiconductor giant.

Analysts noted that while the judgment resolves a potential ownership‑dilution risk, its immediate impact on SK Hynix’s stock was limited; the shares slipped about 8 % on the day of the ruling but broader market movements were the main driver. The case has drawn attention to how spousal contributions to large Korean business empires may be evaluated in future high‑value divorces. Chey’s personal wealth has surged amid the AI‑driven demand for advanced memory chips, doubling in the past year.