Kim Hyun-joong says paternity test a priority

Actor/singer Kim Hyun-joong's legal representative Lee Jae-man holds up a photo of Kim taking a DNA test, at a press conference held Thursday in Seoul. / Yonhap

Korean actor/singer Kim Hyun-joong says he will fulfill his duties if a paternity test confirms he is the father of his former girlfriend’s child.

“I’ve only heard that a child will be born on Sept. 12, but read about the birth through news reports,” Kim said in a statement from his lawyer.

He said the former girlfriend’s claim that he was resisting a paternity test were false, adding he has taken steps to determine whether he is the father of the child.

His lawyer showed a picture of Kim taking a DNA test. Kim said he wants to take full legal responsibility if the child is his. He also asked for no more public disclosure of the child.

Kim entered compulsory military service in May, following trouble with his former girlfriend, identified only as Choi.

The Kim-Choi relationship became public when Choi sued Kim last year for alleged violence.

After series of suits and countersuits, Choi claimed she was pregnant with Kim’s child and gave birth early this month.