A 62-year-old woman received a murder sentence of 25 years in prison on Sunday. The Incheon District Court found her guilty of killing her 71-year-old common-law husband. She stabbed the victim 33 times during a late-night argument on December 18. Consequently the court also ordered her to wear an ankle monitoring device for 10 years after release.
The couple had lived together for 30 years before the incident. The argument started around 2:31 a.m. over unpaid mobile phone bills. They had quarreled frequently about the victim’s drinking problems. The victim had received surgery for lung cancer last year. Nevertheless he continued drinking and smoking, which angered the defendant. The victim reportedly told his wife that his financial issues were her fault. He then took a knife and suggested that they both die. The defendant grabbed the knife and stabbed him. When the first knife’s handle broke, she fetched another knife from the kitchen.
This murder sentence follows a history of violence by the defendant. The court found that she had received two prior fines for violent acts. She frequently committed violence and claimed not to remember due to drinking. Therefore the court emphasized the need to monitor her actions after release. The judges considered her criminal records and alcohol use in the past. The murder sentence reflects both the brutal nature of the attack and her lack of remorse. The victim died at the scene from multiple stab wounds. Prosecutors had requested a longer term, but the court settled on 25 years.
The case highlights how domestic disputes can escalate into deadly violence. The couple’s long history of conflict and the victim’s health issues added tragic context. This murder sentence also sends a warning about repeat offenders. The ankle monitor will track the woman for a decade after she leaves prison. Authorities hope the monitoring will prevent further violent behavior. The murder sentence now stands as a final judgment. The defendant has one week to appeal the decision. Legal experts say the case underscores the need for domestic violence intervention programs. The court’s decision may influence future domestic murder cases in South Korea.
