Husband sentenced to 12 years for murdering wife on Lunar New Year after 48 years of marriage

A South Korean court has sentenced an 80-year-old man to 12 years in prison for fatally stabbing his wife during a dispute on Lunar New Year's Day. The couple had been married for 48 years.

The incident occurred at the couple's home in Jeongeup, North Jeolla Province, on February 17. The husband, identified only as Mr. A, reportedly began arguing with his 68-year-old wife, Ms. B, while they were drinking. The argument escalated, and Mr. A grabbed a kitchen knife and fatally wounded his wife.

According to reports, Mr. A had a history of jealousy and abusive behavior, particularly when drinking. He frequently accused his wife of infidelity, leading to verbal and physical abuse throughout their marriage. On the day of the incident, the argument reportedly began after Mr. A accused his wife of seeing other men, an accusation she refuted by pointing to his past behavior.

After the stabbing, Mr. A called his son to confess, leading to his arrest by the police. He also attempted to harm himself and received medical treatment. The court acknowledged the defendant's remorse and advanced age but emphasized the devastating impact of his actions on their children, who lost their mother after nearly five decades of marriage. The court stated that the profound grief and irreparable suffering experienced by the children made a severe punishment unavoidable.