Woman gets 22 years for murdering real estate instructor husband after appeal

A South Korean woman in her 50s has had her prison sentence reduced from 25 years to 22 years on appeal for the murder of her husband, a well-known real estate instructor. The appellate court acknowledged the gravity of the crime, noting the victim likely suffered immense pain during the assault.

However, the court cited the defendant's confession and remorse during the appeal, as well as the fact that she had consumed a significant amount of alcohol and acted impulsively. The court also considered that she had made a partial criminal deposit to the victim's family, deeming the original sentence too harsh.

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Given the motive, the site and number of attacks, and the outcome of this crime, the defendant's guilt is heavy, and it seems the victim felt great pain during the process of death.

The incident occurred in February of the previous year at the couple's home in Pyeongtaek. The defendant allegedly struck her husband multiple times on the head with a liquor bottle while he was lying down. Investigations revealed the argument escalated when the defendant, suspecting her husband's infidelity, became enraged after he demanded a divorce.

While the defendant initially denied intent to kill, she admitted to all charges during the appeal. The first trial had handed down a 25-year sentence, describing the method and circumstances of the crime as "extremely brutal."

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However, the defendant has confessed and shown remorse by the time of this trial. Considering that the crime appears to have been committed impulsively while under the influence of a considerable amount of alcohol, and that a certain amount has been criminally deposited to the bereaved family in this trial, the sentence imposed by the original trial is deemed too heavy and unfair.