Comedian Kim Byoung-man denies abuse claims, says ex-wife demands W3 billion

By KTimes

Comedian Kim Byung-man has denied allegations made by his ex-wife, who accuses him of domestic violence during their marriage.

Kim's agency, Sky Turtle, said Tuesday, “The claims by Kim Byung-man’s ex-wife are untrue. On the day she alleges the assault took place, Kim was abroad. This seems like an attempt to influence the divorce proceedings.”

The agency added, “The ex-wife filed false charges to avoid a court-ordered financial settlement. The case was forwarded to the prosecution with a recommendation of non-indictment by the police, and the Supreme Court has also found no evidence of assault.”

It also explained that Kim’s ex-wife managed his earnings during their marriage, including most of his income from entertainment shows, and claimed that Kim is now in a position where he should be receiving money from her.

According to Sky Turtle, despite the finalized divorce, the ex-wife demanded 3 billion won ($2.2 million) to sever all legal ties with her adult daughter while keeping her on Kim’s family registry. The agency also said that Kim was shocked to learn of numerous life insurance policies his ex-wife had taken out during their marriage.

Earlier, in an interview with Spotv News, Kim’s ex-wife claimed that she had suffered repeated abuse and that Kim was currently under investigation by the prosecution. In response, Sky Turtle denied these accusations, bringing the private dispute into the public realm.

Kim married a woman outside the entertainment industry in 2011, but after 12 years, news of their separation emerged last year. At the time, Sky Turtle said that the two had amicably settled their divorce after a lawsuit, with no particular reason for separating, and had agreed to remain supportive of each other. However, the ongoing allegations have led to a public battle over the truth.

Kim debuted as a comedian in 2002 through KBS and is known for his roles in "Law of the Jungle," "Here Comes Captain Kim," and "King of Survival."

This article from the Hankook Ilbo, the sister publication of The Korea Times, is translated by a generative AI system and edited by The Korea Times.