Korean Man Murders Terminally Ill Wife Claiming It Was Difficult To Care For Her

A 70-year-old Korean man has been sentenced to seven years in prison for the murder of his terminally ill wife, whom he had been caring for during her battle with cancer.

The Suwon District Court’s Criminal Division 14, presided over by Judge Go Kwon Hong, delivered the sentence to Mr. A for the killing of his wife. The murder which occurred at 12:23 AM on October 2, 2023.

According to court records, Ms. B had been diagnosed with terminal cancer in August 2023. Mr. A confessed that he took his wife’s life because he felt overwhelmed by the demands of providing continuous care.

In delivering the verdict, the court emphasized the societal implications of the case. However, the court acknowledged mitigating factors while maintaining the gravity of the offense.

Murders committed by family caregivers have become a significant social issue. If such acts of killing were to be perceived as generally acceptable and met with lenient punishment, it could create a dangerous precedent leading to similar crimes. Therefore, strict punishment for the defendant is unavoidable.

The defendant has admitted to his crime and voluntarily turned himself in by calling 112 (South Korea’s emergency number) immediately after the incident. While it is acknowledged that both the defendants and the victims were elderly and likely to cover medical expenses due to their inability to work, this does not lessen the severity of his crime.

— Go Kwon Hong

May the victim rest in peace.