His refusal seemed to express his intention to clarify various rumors and doubts about him. The legal battle between Seo Tai Ji and Lee Ji Ah, which seemed to be concluded as Lee Ji Ah had dropped the suit against Seo Tai Ji, has entered a new phase when Seo refused Lee Ji Ah's withdrawal of the lawsuit over the division of property. The suit could be concluded if Seo Tai Ji consents to Lee's withdrawal or raises no objection to her action for two weeks after he receives the document of withdrawal. But Seo Tai Ji submitted a counter-argument to the Seoul Family Court on May 17, and the legal battle has resumed. As to why Seo disagreed with her withdrawal of the lawsuit, Seo Tai Ji Company said, "Lee Ji Ah had filed a lawsuit against Seo and dropped the case again without any prior notification. We had to consider the possibility of recurrence of this case. We thought that we had to clarify the truth, so we submitted the counter-argument today.” The company simply defined their position and did not give any further comment. Lee Ji Ah dropped the case on April 30, and various rumors concerning their relations have arisen, such as, “They both agreed before her withdrawal of the suit” and, “He secretly gave settlement money to her."
People in the entertainment business interpreted his action as a way to respond to those rumors. Actually, both sides denied the rumor after the withdrawal while insisting, “There was no agreement made or settlement money,” but the rumor has kept circulating. It is assumed that Seo Tai Ji might want to clarify all those truths between their relationship to the court not to leave any more doubts, or he might want to completely finish this case to prevent any more issues from arising. Last January, Lee Ji Ah filed a lawsuit against Seo Tai Ji demanding he pay her 5.5 billion won in alimony and to divide his property while saying, “They filed for divorce in 2006 and the filing has become effective from 2009, so they can request Seo Tai Ji remit alimony payment and divide his property.” But Seo Tai Ji presented an opposing argument, saying, “Their divorce has become effective since 2006, so she can request nothing as the case has already expired.” A person in the entertainment business said, “Lee Ji Ah filed and dropped the lawsuit against Seo, so Seo Tai Ji could be regarded as not having clearly finished their relationship. For Seo Tai Ji, he has nothing to hide anymore, so he might have come to have the thought of settling this case completely.”
In addition, Lee Ji Ah seemed to be very much embarrassed by his refusal. Lee Ji Ah’s agency Keyeast said, “She never expected his refusal of her withdrawal of the lawsuit against him. We have nothing to say right now. Lee Ji Ah seemed to be very surprised. She has gone through difficulties concerning this matter, so we are very much worried about her.” The court will hold a hearing on May 23 at 3 pm to confirm both sides’ positions.
source : kbs
