Chey Tae-won, who heads South Korea's No. 3 conglomerate SK Group, made his first public appearance on Monday at a New Year's ceremony, a week after he admitted to having an extramarital child and going through divorce procedures with his wife, the daughter of a former South Korean president.

Last week, Chey made an official statement by writing a letter to a local daily that he was suffering discord with his wife, adding that they both were going through divorce proceedings. He also admitted to having a child with an unidentified woman.

Chey married Roh Soh-yeong in 1988, the daughter of South Korea's general-turned-president Roh Tae-woo, who led the country from 1988 to 1993. She currently heads the Art Center Nabi in Seoul.

Since the announcement, Chey did not appear at the group's Seoul-based headquarters, but instead worked at home. Industry watchers said Chey's appearance at the event may signal his return to daily tasks.

"The chairman's participation reflects his steps to focus on management," an official from SK Group also said.

The group head's participation was also significant because Chey was unable to attend the annual event for the past two years, as he was in prison for embezzlement. He was released with a special pardon last year. (Yonhap)