SK Group Chairman Choi Tae-won and Art Center Nabi Director No So-young returned to the Seoul High Court today to resume their asset division trial [1].
The case represents one of South Korea's most significant legal battles over marital assets, as the final ruling could impact the ownership structure and stability of SK Group.
The proceedings resumed following the collapse of a mediation process that lasted approximately three months [2]. According to court documents, the mediation failed because the two parties could not reach an agreement on core issues, specifically whether SK shares should be included as part of the assets subject to division [1].
This phase of the legal battle is a remand trial, following a previous ruling that was overturned. The legal process for this specific stage began with the first pleading on Jan. 9, 2024 [1].
With the mediation attempt now concluded, the court has moved directly toward a final decision. The Seoul High Court has scheduled the sentencing and final judgment for July 24 [3].
The dispute centers on the valuation and distribution of the vast wealth accumulated during the marriage. Because the SK Group is a cornerstone of the South Korean economy, the legal determination regarding the shares is a matter of significant corporate interest [1].
“The mediation failed because the two parties could not reach an agreement on core issues.”
The failure of the three-month mediation indicates that the divide between Choi and No regarding the classification of SK shares is irreconcilable. By moving to a final judgment on July 24, the court will now determine the legal precedent for how conglomerate shares are treated in marital dissolution, potentially affecting the control of one of Asia's largest conglomerates.
