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'Why Hide My Cousin's Intellectual Disability?' Newlywed Couple Faces Divorce Crisis
🇰🇷 South Korea /Culture & Society

'Why Hide My Cousin's Intellectual Disability?' Newlywed Couple Faces Divorce Crisis

From Dong-A Ilbo · () Korean

Translated from Korean, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Sources not specified Context piece
  • A newlywed husband shared his wife's demand for divorce after learning about a cousin with an intellectual disability.
  • The wife claims the marriage is a 'fraud' due to potential genetic risks and fears for future children.
  • Online discussions are divided, with some criticizing the mother-in-law's insensitive comments and others deeming the wife's reaction excessive.

A newlywed husband is facing a potential divorce after his wife discovered his cousin has an intellectual disability, leading her to accuse him of a 'fraudulent marriage.' The couple, married for less than a year, is embroiled in a dispute sparked by the husband's mother.

Why didn't you tell me in advance that there was a disabled person in the family?

— WifeExpressing her shock and suspicion upon learning about the cousin's disability.

The conflict began when the husband's mother, eager for grandchildren, advised his wife to have children soon, mentioning that her aunt had a child with an intellectual disability after undergoing IVF at age 43. While the husband believed his mother was merely expressing concern about the risks of late pregnancy, his wife reacted with alarm.

I can't have a child with such a risk. I feel like I will resent your family forever.

— WifeExplaining her refusal to have children due to perceived genetic risks.

She questioned why the family's history of disability was not disclosed earlier, suspecting genetic factors. The wife stated that if they have a child with a disability, the husband's family would be responsible. The situation escalated when she declared she could not risk having a child under such circumstances and threatened to resent his family forever, even suggesting he find a surrogate mother from Southeast Asia.

It's not possible to conclude that the cause of my cousin's intellectual disability is genetic.

— HusbandDefending his family and questioning the wife's assumptions.

The husband argues that his cousin's intellectual disability cannot be definitively attributed to genetics, citing possibilities like IVF or advanced maternal age. He feels his wife is overreacting and is unsure if this situation warrants a divorce. Online reactions are split, with some commenters criticizing the mother-in-law's inappropriate pressure on the couple's reproductive plans. Others believe the wife's demand for divorce is an extreme response, arguing that there is no obligation to disclose the disability of a distant relative like a cousin, especially when the cause is not definitively genetic.

I don't know if this is really a reason for divorce.

— HusbandExpressing his confusion and distress over the divorce demand.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Dong-A Ilbo in Korean. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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