By Bae Ji-sook
Staff Reporter
The much talked about relationship between former President Chun Doo-hwan's son Jae-yong and TV actress Park Sang-ah will become official as the pair announced they will marry in September.
The couple had been romantically linked by the press since 2003, but this is the first time their romance has been made public. They did not reveal the exact date and place of the wedding, but confirmed that they are to wed.
In an interview with the daily Sports World, Park and Chun admitted that they have a 15-month-old daughter, Hye-hyun. Chun, 43, has two sons with his former wife.
``I arrived in Seoul in mid May. We are now living in Samseong-dong, Seoul,'' Park said. ``All of the family members know that we are to marry, and my father asked us to live happily together,'' Chun said.
Park, one of the most popular actresses in late 90s and early 2000s, fled to the U.S. after a scandal broke out that she was managing Chun and his father's 17 billion won slush fund. Earlier this year, local press reported that Park and Chung had a daughter in Los Angeles and Chun's divorce was finalized in February.
Chun denied Park's involvement with the slush fund, saying that Park has nothing to do with the money, but the scandal has haunted them to this day.
The 35-year-old actress was skeptical about whether she would return to the small screen. ``I avoided contact with other people because their constant talking about me caused me stress. I think I will just stay with the family,'' she said.
``I know some people say I am with him because of his money or background. But look at me, after five years I am still with him and we have a daughter. It's love.''