"No Improper Relationship with Student," Father Asserts
"Ex-Son-in-Law Demanded 4 Billion Won," Raises Extortion Allegation
While former national baseball team manager Ryu Joongil criticized his ex-daughter-in-law's alleged misconduct and even filed a national petition, her father has stepped forward to refute the accusations. He claimed that his daughter never had an improper relationship with her student and, on the contrary, that their family has been unfairly maligned, including being demanded tens of billions of won by her ex-husband's side.
Former baseball national team manager Jooongil Ryu demanded the punishment of his ex-daughter-in-law through a national petition. The Asia Business Daily DB
On the 5th, the ex-daughter-in-law's father, Mr. A, expressed his frustration in an interview with Yonhap News, stating, "I'm not speaking up just because I'm a parent protecting my child. I am so aggrieved that it brings me to tears."
"Ex-son-in-law Demanded a Large Sum During the Divorce Process"
According to Yonhap News, Mr. A explained that his ex-son-in-law demanded approximately 4 billion won during the divorce proceedings and even received a summary order from the court on charges of attempted extortion. Based on the materials he provided, the ex-son-in-law was indicted for demanding the transfer of apartment ownership, 5 million won in monthly child support, and 2 billion won in alimony, among other large sums, and was sentenced to a summary order of 3 million won last month.
He said, "I paid the 60 million won in alimony awarded in the divorce lawsuit the day after the verdict, but separate large claims and demands to relinquish custody of my grandson continued, so we could not reach an agreement." He also claimed that "even recently, there have been renewed demands for money, with threats of media leaks and national petitions."
Regarding the core controversy of the alleged "inappropriate relationship with a student," Mr. A strongly denied the allegations. He stated, "The school where my daughter worked was not a regular high school, and she went on group 'hotel vacations' with students, ordering room service and spending time together." He presented photos his daughter posted on social media from these hotel stays, as well as chat records planning such trips with students.
In January 2024, Mr. A, a high school teacher, was seen moving with his son and his student, Mr. B. Photo by Yonhap News
He also addressed the fact that his daughter stayed at a hotel with student B, explaining, "They stayed nearby because there was a university interview scheduled for the next day," and even provided payment records for an extra bed. He questioned, "If it were an affair, would she have used a card that notifies her husband and rented an extra bed?"
He mentioned the results of the police investigation as well. Mr. A said, "For several months, they conducted forensic analysis of her phone and tracked her location, but no evidence was found, and ultimately, she was not indicted." He explained, "While the divorce lawsuit judged infidelity based on the concept of fidelity, the criminal case was decided based on evidence, resulting in a finding of no charges."
Regarding the 'costume outfit' and DNA test results, he argued that the costume was "purchased to use with her husband," and the DNA comparison "was conducted by a private company a year after the incident and cannot be trusted." He also countered, "There are reports that the ex-son-in-law paid several students to collect DNA samples."
"No Intention to Return to Teaching"…Concerns Over Social Stigma
Mr. A made it clear that his daughter has no intention of returning to teaching. He said, "I told my daughter to give up her dream of being a teacher, and she is currently preparing for the CPA exam," adding, "She has already been socially condemned, making it difficult to live a normal life."
He concluded by saying, "Former manager Ryu is a well-known figure in Daegu," and expressed concern that "my grandson might be ostracized when he goes to kindergarten." He added that any speculative articles or malicious comments that deviate from the facts would be met with legal action without leniency.
Previously, Ryu's ex-daughter-in-law, a former teacher identified as Ms. C, was accused by her ex-husband Ryu of engaging in sexual acts with a high school student at accommodations in Seoul, Gyeonggi, and Incheon from August 2023 to January 2024, and of bringing her then one-year-old son to these locations.
However, the Seoul Southern District Prosecutors' Office issued a decision of no charges on November 14. In response, on December 4, Ryu publicly revealed his identity and posted a national petition calling for the punishment of his ex-daughter-in-law.
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