One of South Korea's leading actors has issued an apology following the revelation that he fathered a child with a woman he is not married to, a situation that has drawn widespread attention in a country where births outside of wedlock are still considered taboo.
Jung Woo-sung, a prominent figure in South Korea's highly competitive film industry since his debut in the 1990s, made headlines this week after his agency confirmed that the 51-year-old actor is the biological father of model Moon Ga-bi's son, born in March.
Earlier, Moon, 35, disclosed that she had recently become a mother but did not reveal the identity of the child's father. A local news report suggested that the model had hoped to marry Jung to "give her child a family," but the actor declined.
Despite Jung's commitment to "fulfilling his responsibilities" as a father, his reluctance to marry Moon has sparked significant criticism, with many labeling him "irresponsible" in a society where deep-rooted prejudices against unmarried mothers and their children remain prevalent.
"I am deeply sorry to all those who have supported me and believed in me for the concern and disappointment I have caused," Jung said during his appearance as a presenter at the Blue Dragon Film Awards.
Jung, who has maintained a scandal-free image and served as a goodwill ambassador for the UN refugee agency until July, has faced comparisons between his son's situation and that of refugees, highlighting the stigma faced by children of unmarried mothers.
An opposition lawmaker from the Democratic Party has called for greater acceptance of diverse family structures in South Korean society, noting that "everyone is unique." Only 4.7 percent of South Korean babies were born outside of marriage last year, one of the lowest rates among developed countries.
Experts suggest that South Korea's narrow legal definition of family could be contributing to the country's low birth and marriage rates. Court approvals for the adoption of a child by an unmarried individual are exceedingly rare, and unmarried women are effectively barred from seeking sperm donation.
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