After 14 years of marriage, former KBS announcer Park Ji-yoon (44) and Choi Dong-seok (45) have decided to part ways.
On the 31st, Park Ji-yoon's agency, JDB Entertainment, confirmed through official channels, "It's true that Park Ji-yoon filed for divorce mediation with Jeju District Court on October 30th through the law firm Kim Jang Law Office."
Furthermore, Park Ji-yoon stated through her agency, "I regret having to share this unfortunate news with those who have supported and cherished our family, including Choi Dong-seok and myself, for such a long time."
She continued, "After a prolonged period of reflection, I've decided to proceed with the divorce mediation with Choi Dong-seok. While I'm regretful this news has become public before finalizing the divorce proceedings, I hope that we can both continue to support one another as parents to our children."
Park Ji-yoon emphasized, "I don't want our children to be doubly hurt by any false statements or writings because of our sudden separation. I will be taking strong action against any rumors or misinformation regarding my children and me."
She added, "It's rare for me to speak out like this, but I regret not being able to share better news during these trying times. As a broadcaster, I will try to give back through my work, and as a mother to our two children, I will pour even more love and effort into raising them."
On the other hand, when Choi Dong-seok was approached about the divorce rumors, he briefly stated, "I have nothing to say."
Park Ji-yoon and Choi Dong-seok, who were colleagues as 30th generation KBS announcers, continued their office romance and tied the knot in November 2009. The couple has a daughter and a son. This separation is particularly shocking as they were often cited as one of the entertainment industry's iconic couples.
On a side note, Park Ji-yoon, born in 1979, debuted as a KBS announcer in 2004. She gained attention through KBS's 'Star Golden Bell' and declared her freelance status in March 2008. After marriage, she remained active in broadcasting and made a mark in shows like 'Ssulzun', 'God of Food Road', 'Crime Scene', 'Girls' High School Investigators', and 'Game of Blood'.
Choi Dong-seok, born in 1978 and a year senior to Park Ji-yoon, has hosted shows like 'The Secret of Birth, Life, and Death' and 'Love Request', among KBS's news programs. He was the anchor for KBS's 'News 9' from November 2019 to June 2020. In August 2021, he resigned from KBS due to health reasons and has since been living with his family in Jeju Island.
