"They call me a garbage human being": Eli Kim addresses the '850,000-won child support' controversy

[Financial News] Eli Kim, a former member of the group UKISS, has addressed the recent controversy over child support payments.
On the 5th, Eli Kim posted a lengthy explanation on his social media regarding his former wife Ji Yeon-soo's recent claim that she receives "850,000 won" in child support.
Previously, while discussing child support on YouTube and other platforms, Ji Yeon-soo said, "I receive 850,000 won, while the minimum child-support amount is 640,000 won. That's the amount paid for the youngest child." She added, "The cost of living is rising, but the child-support calculation table is from several years ago. It's far from enough." She also revealed that she was working part-time at a beef soup restaurant to cover her living expenses.
In response, Eli Kim said, "I've seen many comments calling me a garbage human being or saying that I'm stingy." He continued, "I don't want to discuss this publicly, but I will explain how the child-support amount came to be 850,000 won."
Eli Kim explained that he and Ji Yeon-soo discussed child support at the time of their divorce. Rather than paying a fixed amount each month, he said he had agreed to send money whenever their son needed something. "Whenever he needed something for school, when we went out to eat, or when there were other expenses related to my son, I sent money," he explained. He added that he sent approximately USD 6,000–8,000 per month, or about KRW 8–10 million, for three to four months.
Eli Kim explained, "I understand that the money I sent was not designated specifically as child support, but from my perspective, I sent it to help cover my son's living expenses." He added, "I had been sending as much money as I could, to the point that I was even worried I might end up in debt."
He emphasized, "At the time, it was during the COVID-19 pandemic, and I was earning minimum wage. A significant portion of the money I sent came from the small amount of savings I had at the time." He continued, "I think some people may form a negative impression if they hear only the amount without knowing this background."
Finally, Eli Kim said, "If anyone was disappointed or hurt by the publicly disclosed child-support amount, I apologize for that." He added, "Even now, whenever I can see my son, I give him the money he needs."
Meanwhile, Eli Kim registered his marriage to model and broadcaster Ji Yeon-soo in 2014, and they had a son in 2016. They held a formal wedding ceremony in 2017, but divorced in 2020, six years after registering their marriage.
[email protected] Kim Hee-sun Reporter