South Korean man, 80, gets 2 years for trying to kill wife over side dish

An 80-year-old man in South Korea has been sentenced to two years in prison for attempting to kill his wife during a domestic dispute. The incident occurred in March when the man, identified as Mr. A, became enraged after his wife, Ms. B (83), chided him for not eating a particular side dish during dinner.

Following the argument, Mr. A grabbed a knife and attacked his wife, stabbing her in the neck. He reportedly stopped the assault and called the police himself after seeing the extent of the bleeding. He also informed his family about the incident. Ms. B received medical treatment and has since recovered.

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The defendant can be seen as having recognized or foreseen the possibility or risk of the victim dying, even if only indirectly.

During his trial, Mr. A claimed he only intended to scare his wife and did not mean to kill or injure her. However, the court rejected his defense, noting that he used a deadly weapon and targeted a vital area of her body. The court also considered the motive sufficient for the crime.

Despite the severity of the act, the court acknowledged several mitigating factors. These included the fact that the murder attempt was unsuccessful, Mr. A's self-reporting to the emergency services which allowed for prompt medical attention for his wife, the seemingly impulsive nature of the crime, and his wife's wish not to pursue punishment.

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The culpability is very high, as he attempted to kill the victim, with whom he had lived as a spouse for a long time.