South Korean baseball player Jeong Cheol-won has agreed to grant primary custody of his son to his ex-wife, Kim Ji-yeon, and will provide child support, according to a statement from his legal representatives. The decision, announced on October 6, comes amid a contentious divorce dispute that has also involved public allegations of domestic violence and infidelity, as reported by Mediafine.

Jeong Cheol-won Sides with Child’s Best Interest

On the same day Kim Ji-yeon shared images of her life with their young son on social media, Daeryeon Law Firm, representing Jeong Cheol-won, released an official statement regarding the ongoing legal proceedings. The firm confirmed that Jeong Cheol-won has decided to grant primary custody to Kim Ji-yeon and will pay child support.

“Jeong Cheol-won, in the child-related legal proceedings that have continued since January of this year, has fulfilled his duties as a professional baseball player while striving to fulfill his responsibilities as a father and create a healthy environment for the child’s upbringing,” the statement from Daeryeon Law Firm read.

정철원, 김지연과 파경 후 첫 입장 “외도·가정폭력 일방적 폭로 우려” [스타이슈]

The legal team emphasized the priority of protecting the minor child, stating, “Compared to the player’s career achievements or property division in the divorce, there is a minor child who needs protection.” They also appealed to the public, urging that the child’s privacy and emotional stability not be harmed as the legal dispute spreads through media and online platforms.

Property Division Dispute Persists

While custody and support have been resolved in principle, a significant disagreement remains over the division of marital property. Jeong Cheol-won’s legal team indicated that a legal review is necessary to determine whether future signing bonuses, salaries, and bonuses earned during the marriage should be considered joint assets.

정철원, 김지연과 파경 후 첫 입장…“외도·가정폭력 일방적 폭로 우려”

The statement explained that even for payments not yet received, if they constitute a right that has already been formed or are deemed substantially related to assets acquired during the marriage, their legal assessment could differ. The firm also disclosed that Kim Ji-yeon’s legal counsel had submitted a resignation on September 21.

Allegations of Violence and Infidelity Remain Unresolved

Both parties continue to dispute serious allegations of domestic violence and infidelity. Daeryeon Law Firm expressed concern over the “continuously spreading situations of domestic violence and infidelity rumors,” stating they are contesting the facts and explanations presented by the other side. They warned against accepting unconfirmed claims as fact based solely on one party’s statements or partial information.

Kim Ji-yeon’s legal team, Haedeun Law Firm, had previously taken a firm stance on these allegations. They claimed that Kim Ji-yeon suffered from domestic violence while raising their child after marriage and had recently received information from multiple sources suspecting Jeong Cheol-won of infidelity. The firm stated that Kim Ji-yeon had tried to maintain the marriage for the sake of their child and resolve issues amicably but stopped paying child support after Jeong Cheol-won left home.

Haedeun Law Firm reiterated its commitment to protecting the child and securing custody as the top priority, while also requesting that the personal matter not harm Jeong Cheol-won’s baseball club or teammates.

Brief Marriage Followed by Public Dispute

The couple’s relationship, which led to marriage and a child, unfolded rapidly in the public eye. Kim Ji-yeon and Jeong Cheol-won announced her pregnancy before they were married and welcomed their first son in August 2025. They married in Seoul four months later, on December 14, but the marriage faced a breakdown crisis just one month later.

The short-lived marriage quickly escalated into a legal dispute, with issues of domestic violence, infidelity allegations, child support, and property division coming to the forefront.

Jeong Cheol-won, a professional baseball player, was selected in the second round (20th overall) of the 2018 KBO League draft by the Doosan Bears. He was named the Rookie of the Year in 2022 and was traded to the Lotte Giants after the 2024 season. Last year, he was a key member of Lotte’s bullpen, appearing in 75 games with a record of 8 wins, 3 losses, 21 relief appearances, and a 4.24 ERA.

Next Steps in Legal Proceedings

With the primary custody issue settled, the focus of the legal battle has shifted to the division of assets and the resolution of the disputed allegations. The ongoing nature of the property dispute and the conflicting accounts of domestic violence and infidelity mean that the full legal facts have yet to be confirmed.

Both sides’ approaches to the case highlight a central conflict: the public nature of the dispute versus the need to protect a child’s privacy. As the legal proceedings continue, the handling of child-related matters and privacy protection will likely remain critical variables in the outcome of the case.