Former UN member Choi Jung Won says 5-year affair and stalking controversies have finally ended after court victories and prosecutors' decisions

30 Jul 2026, 22:28 by K-Soul · allkpop

Former UN member Choi Jung Won has spoken publicly after a series of legal proceedings that spanned nearly five years came to an end, saying he has finally cleared his name of allegations involving an extramarital affair and stalking.

On July 29, Choi Jung Won shared a lengthy message on Instagram, reflecting on the emotional toll of the controversies.

"For nearly five years, I felt like I was struggling in a dark, muddy swamp," he wrote. "The lawsuits labeling me as 'the other man' and a stalker felt like a long tunnel where I had to endure even insults that no human being should hear."

He continued, "Now it's truly over. The lawsuit accusing me of having an affair ended in my favor, confirming that I committed no improper conduct. The stalking-related case has also concluded with a full non-indictment, clearing up all misunderstandings. This finally brings every case to an end."

Choi Jung Won added that he now hopes to live "a humble and sincere life," while expressing disappointment that false accusations often spread rapidly while few people pay attention to how cases ultimately conclude.

"I want to say once again to everyone who followed these stories—whether out of concern, curiosity, or gossip—that every allegation over the past five years has ended with no criminal charges against me, and the false civil lawsuit was also resolved in my favor," he wrote.

Prosecutors issue deferred indictment on threat allegation

His statement came shortly after prosecutors announced the outcome of a separate criminal investigation involving a former romantic partner.

The Women's and Children's Crime Investigation Division 2 of the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office decided on July 16 to issue a deferred indictment (suspension of prosecution) on Choi's charge of aggravated intimidation. Meanwhile, allegations of threatening to distribute recordings and violating South Korea's anti-stalking law were dismissed due to insufficient evidence.

Under Korean law, aggravated intimidation can be prosecuted even if a victim later withdraws their complaint. However, prosecutors took into consideration that the complainant expressed a desire not to pursue punishment.

The former partner had initially reported Choi to police but later submitted a formal statement requesting leniency. During the prosecution's supplementary investigation, the complainant reportedly continued to ask authorities for a reduced punishment.

Regarding the allegation of threatening to distribute recordings, prosecutors concluded there was insufficient evidence and also considered that the remark appeared to have been made impulsively. They further noted that, given Choi's status as a public figure, it would have been difficult for him to actually distribute such material.

The Seoul Jungbu Police Station had referred Choi to prosecutors in November last year. He had been accused of visiting his former girlfriend's residence with a weapon after she ended their relationship in August of the same year and allegedly threatening her.

Affair allegations ultimately overturned

The affair controversy dates back to January 2023, when a man identified only as A filed a 100 million KRW (approximately 72,000 USD) damages lawsuit, claiming Choi had engaged in an affair with his wife, identified as B. Around the same time, Choi also became embroiled in separate allegations that he had stalked a former girlfriend, resulting in simultaneous civil and criminal disputes.

The affair case became intertwined with the couple's divorce proceedings.

In the initial divorce ruling, the Seoul Family Court found that B had secretly met Choi during the marriage and held her responsible for the breakdown of the marriage, ordering her to pay 30 million KRW in damages to her husband. The ruling was widely interpreted as lending credibility to the affair allegations against Choi.

However, the Seoul High Court completely reversed that decision in September last year. The appellate court ruled that Choi and B's relationship did not constitute an extramarital affair and instead determined that the primary responsibility for the collapse of the marriage rested with husband A due to his coercive behavior.

After A appealed, the Supreme Court of Korea dismissed the appeal in January, making the appellate ruling final and officially clearing both Choi and B of the affair allegations.

With prosecutors also declining to indict Choi on the stalking-related accusations, the lengthy civil and criminal legal disputes have now concluded largely in his favor.

Choi Jung Won has consistently denied the affair allegations since they first surfaced.

At the time, he maintained that B was "nothing more than a close younger acquaintance," explaining that the two had known each other since childhood through their families. He said they had reconnected after seeing each other's names on KakaoTalk and met for meals two or three times simply to catch up, insisting there was never any inappropriate relationship.

Choi debuted as a member of the popular early-2000s duo UN, earning recognition through hit songs including "Lifetime" and "Gift" before expanding his career into acting.

Share this article SHARE