Singer Kim Jong-eun of Maronier divorces after 20 years ahead of comeback

Kim Jong-eun, a singer known from the group Maronier, has announced her divorce after 20 years of marriage.

Her agency said Thursday that Kim "carefully deliberated and, following the court-mandated reflection period, recently finalized a mutual divorce, ending approximately 20 years of marriage due to differences in personality."

Kim will retain custody of the couple's child, the agency added.

"We are deeply sorry to deliver such unfortunate news to those who cherish Kim Jong-eun," the agency said. "We sincerely apologize to her fans for causing concern over a personal matter ahead of her comeback."

Kim recently appeared on KBS 1TV's "Back to the Music," a music nostalgia program, to share updates on her life. She is set to resume her career in November with the release of a new song, "Eomman Yeoppyeotda" ("My Mom Was Beautiful"), for which she wrote the lyrics herself.

Kim made her debut in 1994 with Maronier and rose to fame with the song "Cocktail Love." She later released solo albums featuring hits including "Propose" and "I Love You." In 2004, she married fellow musician Choi Kyung-ho, two years her senior, and gave birth to a son in 2011.