Prosecutors seek 3-year prison term for Korean man accused of pouring boiling water on Thai partner
Published: 10 Mar. 2026, 17:17
![A man who is accused of throwing boiling water on the face of his Thai spouse and causing severe burn injuries is seen at Uijeongbu District Court in Uijeongbu, Gyeonggi, on Dec. 16, 2025. [NEWS1]](https://koreaseafood.online/data/photo/2026/03/10/a070489f-1a6f-4786-82bb-4027845aa810.jpg)
A man who is accused of throwing boiling water on the face of his Thai spouse and causing severe burn injuries is seen at Uijeongbu District Court in Uijeongbu, Gyeonggi, on Dec. 16, 2025. [NEWS1]
Prosecutors sought a three-year prison term for a Korean man accused of throwing boiling water on the face of his Thai partner, severely burning her.
Prosecutors asked the court to sentence the man to three years in prison on charges of aggravated bodily injury during a hearing at the Uijeongbu District Court on Tuesday.
Before hearing the defendant's final statement, the judge sharply reprimanded the man.
“How would you feel if someone poured boiling water on your face while you were asleep?” the judge demanded.
The defendant repeatedly and tearfully apologized while bowing his head.
“The defendant acknowledges all the charges and is reflecting deeply, and he understands that this case is by no means minor,” the defense attorney said in court. “The defendant also attempted to provide emergency assistance immediately after the incident and will fully cover the medical expenses.”
“The defendant denied the crime out of fear at first [...] but later admitted his wrongdoing and submitted several letters of reflection,” the defense attorney continued. “His partner does not want him to be punished and has submitted a petition asking for leniency. We ask the court to consider the defendant’s circumstances, as he is responsible for his child and his sick father.”
![A Thai woman who suffered burns to her face after her Korean husband poured boiling water on her is seen in this photo uploaded to a Facebook account. [SCREEN CAPTURE]](https://koreaseafood.online/data/photo/2026/03/10/80167e86-baf5-460a-8ad1-d9497ae79d59.jpg)
A Thai woman who suffered burns to her face after her Korean husband poured boiling water on her is seen in this photo uploaded to a Facebook account. [SCREEN CAPTURE]
In his final statement, the defendant apologized again and took accountability for his crime.
“I am sorry. I hurt my partner, whom I love more than my own life,” the defendant said. “This is entirely my fault. I kneel and apologize to her [...] and ask for leniency considering my child. who will be left alone, and my sick father.”
The court is scheduled to deliver its verdict on April 7.
The defendant was indicted while in custody on charges of pouring boiling water from an electric kettle onto the face of his Thai partner at a home in Uijeongbu, Gyeonggi, on Dec. 3, 2025, resulting in second-degree burns on her face.
![A man who is accused of throwing boiling water on the face of his Thai spouse and causing severe burn injuries is seen at Uijeongbu District Court in Uijeongbu, Gyeonggi, on Dec. 16, 2025. [YONHAP]](https://koreaseafood.online/data/photo/2026/03/10/82746d28-6624-4807-aaa1-6ea1c890b1cf.jpg)
A man who is accused of throwing boiling water on the face of his Thai spouse and causing severe burn injuries is seen at Uijeongbu District Court in Uijeongbu, Gyeonggi, on Dec. 16, 2025. [YONHAP]
The victim was taken to a specialized burn treatment hospital in Seoul. Authorities became aware of the case after hospital staff suspected abuse and reported the incident to the police.
The police issued emergency protective measures against the defendant, including a restraining order and separation from the victim.
During the investigation, the defendant initially denied the allegations, claiming that he had accidentally spilled the boiling water after he fell. However, during the hearing, the defendant admitted to all charges.
The victim later publicly revealed the abuse through an acquaintance's social media account. The case drew wider attention after being covered by Thai media outlets.
This article was originally written in Korean and translated by a bilingual reporter with the help of generative AI tools. It was then edited by a native English-speaking editor. All AI-assisted translations are reviewed and refined by our newsroom.
BY HAN YOUNG-HYE [[email protected]]
with the Korea JoongAng Daily
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