Man gets three and a half years in prison for pouring boiling water on Thai spouse

A Korean man who poured boiling water on the face of his Thai spouse, causing severe burns, was sentenced to three years and six months in prison.

The Uijeongbu District Court sentenced the man to three years and six months in prison on Tuesday after convicting him of aggravated assault causing injury. The court strongly condemned the brutality of the crime.

"Pouring boiling water onto the face of a sleeping spouse is a cruel crime that most people would find difficult to imagine," the court said. "The victim suffered injuries to the face and was hurt while she was completely defenseless."

The court also pointed to what it described as the motive behind the crime.

"It appears the crime was committed to prevent the victim from meeting another man, suggesting a high likelihood of recurrence," the court added. "The defendant claims the offense was committed after discovering the victim's infidelity, but regardless of whether that allegation is true, such a brutal crime cannot be justified."

The ruling further highlighted the victim's vulnerable circumstances.

"The victim met the defendant in 2021 and registered their marriage in 2024, but was unable to obtain a marriage visa because the defendant didn't meet the necessary requirements," the court added. "The victim was staying temporarily in Korea at the time and was in a vulnerable position due to limited Korean proficiency and being socially isolated."

Prosecutors had sought a three-year prison term, but the court imposed a longer sentence.

"There are factors warranting a heavier punishment and therefore a sentence greater than the prosecution's recommendation has been imposed," the court said.

The defendant was indicted and held in custody on charges of pouring boiling water from an electric kettle onto the face, neck and other parts of the body of his spouse, a Thai national. The victim was sleeping at their home in Uijeongbu, Gyeonggi, on Dec. 3 last year when the incident happened, leaving her with second-degree burns.

The victim was transferred to a burn treatment hospital in Seoul. The case came to light after hospital staff suspected abuse and reported the matter to police.

The victim later disclosed the incident through an acquaintance's social media account. The case gained wider attention after Thai media outlets reported on it.

During the early stages of the investigation, the defendant denied the allegations, claiming he accidentally spilled the boiling water after tripping. But during trial, he admitted all charges, bowed in apology and tearfully asked for leniency.

The sentencing had initially been scheduled for after March, but the proceedings were extended after the victim's position on whether to forgive the defendant changed.

The victim visited the man around two weeks after the incident, and initially submitted a statement expressing a desire not to pursue punishment.

However, the victim submitted a statement requesting punishment after consulting lawyers from migrant support organization Gamdong in March. The court subsequently ordered an investigation to determine the victim's true intentions.

"The victim appears to fear the defendant's obsessive behaviors and wants a divorce, but seems to have mistakenly believed that a lighter sentence would lead to a quicker mutual divorce," the court said. "Shortly after the incident, the victim felt sympathy after seeing the defendant in detention and submitted a statement opposing punishment. However, considering the defendant's intentions and other circumstances that later became known, it is difficult to regard that statement as reflecting the victim's genuine wishes."

BY JANG GU-SEUL [[email protected]]