[Summary] Controversy Over Yoon Jeong-hee's Neglect... Siblings Claim "Neglect Facts" vs Baek Gun-woo "Baseless Allegations"

Actress Yoon Jeong-hee. Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Young-eun] Actress Yoon Jeong-hee (77) is at the center of controversy as her husband, pianist Baek Gun-woo (75), denies claims that she has been neglected by him and their daughter in France, calling them "baseless allegations." Meanwhile, Yoon’s siblings continue to insist that the neglect is true, deepening the divide in opinions.

On the 10th, Yoon Jeong-hee’s younger siblings issued a statement admitting that they wrote the post recently uploaded on the Blue House National Petition Board, apologizing for "making family matters public."

In the statement, they claimed regarding Baek Gun-woo, "When his mother-in-law passed away in January 2019, only Yoon Jeong-hee returned to Korea while he continued his concert schedule. Even when he returned in February, he stayed at a hotel and did not visit the Yeouido house where Yoon was staying." They added, "In April, their daughter took Yoon Jeong-hee to France and placed her in a care facility for five months. She rented a villa next to her own home for Yoon and they have been living separately ever since."

They further explained, "Baek Gun-woo rarely visits or sees his wife Yoon Jeong-hee, and the house where they used to live is currently about a 25-minute drive or 21 minutes by subway from the villa where Yoon is residing."

The siblings also clarified that the controversy is not related to inheritance issues. They said, "Some people say this is a property dispute, but Yoon Jeong-hee’s domestic assets consist of two apartments in Yeouido and bank deposits. The authority to manage and dispose of all assets effectively lies with Baek Gun-woo, and legally with their daughter, who is the legal guardian. The siblings have no rights and only hope the assets are managed faithfully for Yoon Jeong-hee."

Photo by Cheongwadae National Petition Board capture

Earlier, on the 5th, a petition titled "Please save the film actress *** who is fading away day by day, isolated from the outside world" was posted on the Blue House National Petition Board.

The petitioner, identified as Yoon’s siblings, claimed, "Yoon, who is separated from her husband, is not receiving spousal care and is battling Alzheimer’s and diabetes alone in an apartment on the outskirts of Paris." They added, "Although their daughter lives nearby, she is busy with her job and family life and cannot properly care for her mother."

The petitioner continued, "We have repeatedly requested that the daughter allow siblings to freely call and visit, but phone calls are limited to 30 minutes once a month, and visits are allowed only once every three months, as if visiting a prisoner in jail." They added, "Her personal freedom is severely violated, and her basic human rights cannot be found."

Yoon Jeong-hee and Baek Geon-woo couple. Photo by Yonhap News

In response, on the 7th, Baek Gun-woo’s agency 'Vincero' stated, "We have confirmed that false information about our artist, pianist Baek Gun-woo, and his daughter Baek Jin-hee is being spread through the Blue House National Petition and online communities." They strongly denied the claims, calling them "false and baseless."

The agency added, "(Baek Gun-woo and Yoon Jeong-hee) have traveled together for performances throughout their lives, but in recent years, Yoon Jeong-hee’s health has rapidly deteriorated, making it impossible for her to accompany long trips lasting tens of hours." They stated, "Contrary to the petition’s content, she is receiving regular doctor visits and treatment and is living comfortably and stably."

An anonymous close associate who has known the couple for over 23 years appeared on CBS Radio’s 'Kim Hyun-jung’s News Show' on the 8th, saying, "The petition contains completely false information, so Baek Gun-woo is very shocked and bewildered." The associate added, "He sent me videos he took on his phone during last Christmas when they gathered, so the claim that they haven’t met for two years is really an absurd lie."

Meanwhile, Baek Gun-woo is scheduled to return to Korea via Incheon International Airport on the 11th after departing Paris on the afternoon of the 10th (local time) for a performance.

A representative from Baek’s agency said, "Baek Gun-woo has no plans to hold a press conference or make a separate statement regarding Yoon Jeong-hee." However, it is reported that Baek Gun-woo is considering legal action against the petitioner, raising the possibility of further statements.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.