U.S. Woman Wins 8.5 Billion Won Lottery Weeks After Divorce... Court Rules Ex-Husband Has 'No Claim' to Money

A U.S. court has dismissed a lawsuit filed by an ex-husband who demanded a share of a roughly 8.5 billion won lottery prize won by a woman shortly after their divorce.

A purchased a scratch-off ticket on October 8, 2020, 20 days after her divorce was legally finalized, and won $5.8 million (approx. 8.5 billion won). She chose to receive a lump sum payment of about $3.75 million after taxes on November 4 of the same year. Subsequently, ex-husband B filed a lawsuit in 2021, claiming that due to a court administrative error, the marriage had not been legally terminated at the time of the ticket purchase, making the winnings marital property.

The court recognized the entire amount as the woman's personal property, stating that their divorce was legally finalized. The Supreme Court panel explained that A purchased the lottery ticket after the divorce was settled, and that even if there was an administrative error by the court, it could not overturn the validity of the divorce that had already taken effect.

The woman's attorney stated that the client is satisfied with the ruling. The ex-husband's attorney revealed that his client believes the court misinterpreted the relevant laws.