South Korean courts have issued the biggest divorce settlement ever recorded in the country. Gaming tycoon Kwon Hyuk-bin, the founder of Smilegate, must hand over 35% of his game‑making empire, worth roughly 2.5 trillion won, to his ex‑wife Lee Hwa‑jin, plus an additional cash payment of 65 billion won.
The total figure—around 2.55 trillion won (about $1.87 bn)—surpasses the previous record set by tech giant Chey Tae‑won, who was required to pay 944 bn won to his former spouse. Lee argued that she helped finance Smilegate at its start and spent more than 20 years raising the couple’s children and running the household, seeking a 50% company stake.
Kwon insisted Lee had not invested in Smilegate and that all initial capital came from him. While the ruling stands for now, both parties could appeal the decision. The case underscores how entrepreneurial success in gaming can lead to staggering value disputes during divorce settlement, and it marks a new benchmark for wealth transfer in South Korea.
