Kim Dong-sung "Ex-wife consistently lied about Seoul National University College of Music background... Trust broken, leading to divorce"

Former national short track speed skating athlete Kim Dong-sung, who appeared on TV Chosun's "We Got Divorced." The photo is unrelated to specific expressions in the article. Photo by TV Chosun "We Got Divorced" broadcast screen.

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Bong-ju] Former national short track speed skating athlete Kim Dong-sung (39) revealed that the reason for his divorce from his ex-wife was due to broken trust caused by her lies.

On the 15th, Kim Dong-sung posted a lengthy message on his current girlfriend In Min-jung’s Instagram, stating, "This is Kim Dong-sung. I feel that I need to speak up now about the misunderstandings many people have," and shared a detailed post.

Kim Dong-sung claimed, "The Seoul National University College of Music that my ex-wife mentioned through media outlets with terms like 'honey' was a lie," and added, "I questioned her about her falsified academic credentials and, under stress from people around me calling us a fraudulent couple, I asked her to confirm the facts, but she consistently lied."

He continued, "Ultimately, as she persisted in lying about the truth, our relationship lost trust and faith, leading to a tragic end."

He also said, "Of course, I bear some responsibility for the divorce. However, I do not believe it was 100% my fault. As a public figure, I reflect on not being able to uphold everything until the end, and I am still paying the price now."

Regarding the controversy over unpaid child support, Kim Dong-sung wrote, "The reality was tough, and the large amount of 3 million won was overwhelming, which caused delays, but I did not avoid it. I even appeared on broadcasts to pay child support. However, my ex-wife immediately posted rebuttals to prevent me from appearing on shows again."

Finally, he wrote, "I have decided that silence is no longer the answer as a father to my children, and after several nights of contemplation, I am posting this message."

Expos? by Kim Dong-sung's ex-wife. The day after Kim Dong-sung appeared on the show "We Are Divorced," a netizen identified as A, claiming to be Kim Dong-sung's ex-wife, expressed discomfort, saying, "The claim that Kim Dong-sung earned 3 million won and faithfully gave 2 million won is a lie," and added, "Our children have to learn about the remarriage story through the broadcast." Photo by Online Community Screenshot.

Meanwhile, Kim Dong-sung recently appeared on TV Chosun’s variety show "We Got Divorced." He revealed that he appeared on the show to earn appearance fees to pay child support but became embroiled in controversy over unpaid child support.

The day after Kim Dong-sung appeared on the program, a netizen identified as A, claiming to be his ex-wife, asserted that "It is a lie that Kim Dong-sung earned 3 million won and faithfully paid 2 million won."

The program ended two weeks after Kim Dong-sung’s appearance. Season 1 of "We Got Divorced" concluded with the broadcast on February 15.

Full statement from Kim Dong-sung

This is Kim Dong-sung. I want to express my feelings regarding the rumors circulating on social media after the broadcast of "We Got Divorced." In December 2018, I agreed to a divorce with my ex-wife on the condition that I pay 3 million won in child support for our children. For about 6 to 7 months after the divorce, I paid approximately 7 million won monthly, including the 3 million won child support. Some acquaintances said it was excessive, but I wanted the children to feel the absence of their father as little as possible and hoped they could live with some financial comfort.

However, my older brother, who sacrificed for my dream, developed heart and kidney problems and needed treatment. Some may think that a gold medalist receives a pension and high lesson fees, but my pension was revoked after I moved to the U.S. following my marriage, as my ex-wife wanted to obtain citizenship and applied for permanent residency. Due to COVID-19, my main source of income, adult skating coaching, disappeared, and I was unable to work for a while, resulting in zero income and inability to send child support.

In April 2020, I received a coaching offer with a salary, but my ex-wife registered me on Bad Fathers (a public list of delinquent fathers) because of overdue child support, causing that coaching position to be put on hold. It became harder to find work, and the period during which I could not send child support increased. Fortunately, after pleading with those involved, I was able to work as an assistant coach with a monthly salary of about 2.9 million won, and I tried to send at least 2 million won, after deducting minimum living expenses, from that amount whenever possible. However, there were times I could not even send that. But I never intentionally withheld payments for my personal life.

With my brother’s hospital bills for dialysis three times a week and heart stent procedures once or twice a year, as well as supporting my mother, I was in a difficult situation. I even applied for a child support adjustment but withdrew it because I couldn’t bear to see my children suffer. I started working hard again and tried to catch up on child support. After promising to appear on "We Got Divorced," I received an advance payment and deposited 10 million won toward overdue child support.

Many people worry about the children after watching the show. The children know about my girlfriend, and after the divorce, I have spent time dining with my children and my girlfriend. If my ex-wife permits, I have a strong desire to raise the children.

Though it may sound pitiful, I am revealing my feelings like this to keep my promise to myself. Even if I am listed on Bad Fathers for not fully paying child support, I will live diligently to pay the overdue support and will not be a shameful father to my children.

I am waiting for the day when I can ask my children for forgiveness, hold their hands, and skate together! I will become a new person for my brother, who silently gives me courage by holding my hand when I go to the hospital for dialysis. I will be a dutiful son who smiles and pats my mother’s back.

It is natural to be criticized for mistakes as a public figure. Even though reality is tough and overwhelming, I reflect deeply on the consequences of not fulfilling my responsibilities to my children. I force myself to smile every day and month. But I am human, and humans can make mistakes and wrongdoings. Please watch over me with both leniency and strictness. I will change... I am changing.

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