South Korean singer Kim Jong-kook (김종국) recently discussed standards for marital “misconduct” with divorce lawyer Park Min-chul (박민철). Kim Jong-kook expressed a remarkably firm stance on “emotional cheating,” stating that ambiguous messages exchanged with someone of the opposite sex, such as “I really miss you,” would cross his personal boundary and could even lead to divorce.
On October 10, lawyer Park Min-chul’s YouTube channel, “Lawyer Park Min-chul’s Michigo,” released its latest video featuring Kim Jong-kook as a guest. The two discussed infidelity and inappropriate behavior within marriage. The lawyer presented scenarios based on actual consultations, asking if messages exchanged between a spouse and another person, such as “Wouldn’t I marry you in the next life?” “I really miss you,” or “Should I just rush to Busan to see you tomorrow morning?” constituted cheating.
Kim Jong-kook immediately responded, “That is cheating.” Even when the lawyer clarified that there was no physical meeting or intimacy between the individuals, Kim Jong-kook firmly maintained, “Even so, it’s cheating. It’s unacceptable.”
Regarding such situations, Kim Jong-kook stated, “I believe this should be grounds for divorce.” However, he also emphasized that emotional dependence is more serious than a momentary physical lapse. He explained that if a spouse tells another person, “You are a more important person to me,” it signifies a deep emotional connection has already formed between them.
Lawyer Park Min-chul also explained that, based on past court precedents, a key criterion for determining inappropriate behavior is whether an emotional exchange has been established between individuals of the opposite sex. Therefore, even without physical intimacy, such emotionally intimate interactions can be considered serious marital infidelity and even grounds for divorce.
Despite his firm stance on infidelity, Kim Jong-kook maintains a positive view of marriage itself. He stated, “If possible, get married,” believing that marriage brings many positive aspects.
Kim Jong-kook announced his marriage to a non-celebrity woman in September of last year, with the wedding attended only by family and close friends, a quiet affair. Now, celebrating one year of marriage, his discussion on his marital boundaries and the topic of “emotional cheating” has become a focal point.
