A South Korean court has ordered Kwon Hyuk-bin, the founder of the game development company Smilegate, to transfer shares worth 2.5 billion won (about 1.3 billion euros) and 65 billion won in cash to his ex-wife, Lee Hwa-jin. This makes it the largest divorce-related asset division in the country's history. The court ruled that Lee Hwa-jin contributed 35% to the couple's shared fortune, which amounts to a total division of 2.565 billion won. The decision was made by a Seoul family court on September 9, following a case that began in November 2022. Lee Hwa-jin, who married Kwon in 2001—just before Smilegate was founded—argued that she played a key role in the company's early development. She claimed to have helped finance Smilegate, held 30% of its initial shares, and held official positions such as director and administrator. She also emphasized her long-term role in raising their two children and managing the household for over 20 years. Kwon and Smilegate disputed her claim of being a co-founder, but the court took a middle ground, acknowledging her financial, professional, and domestic contributions. The court’s decision includes both a transfer of company shares and a cash payment, as Kwon’s wealth is largely tied up in Smilegate shares and related companies. The court chose this approach because it is difficult to sell shares in a non-listed company and doing so could trigger tax issues. This ruling could change the ownership structure of Smilegate, as Kwon previously held 100% control of the company. If upheld, Lee Hwa-jin would become a direct shareholder. This case sets a new precedent, surpassing a previous record from July 2020, when Chey Tae-won, president of SK Hynix, was ordered to pay 944 billion won to his ex-wife. Both courts recognized that a spouse’s contributions to a fortune can include domestic work, child-rearing, and support for the spouse’s career. However, the decision is not yet final, as it remains subject to appeal.