Man detained for assaulting Vietnamese wife

By Kang Seung-woo

A 36-year-old South Korean man has been detained for violently assaulting his Vietnamese wife, according to a local police agency, Sunday.

A captured photo shows a South Korean man beating up his Vietnamese wife. Yonhap

The Yeongam Police Station in South Jeolla Province said it apprehended the husband without a warrant, Saturday, on suspicion of severely injuring his wife and violating the Child Welfare Law.

The seizure came one day after a two-minute, 33-second video clip went viral on social media showing the swearing man punching and kicking his 30-year-old wife and even hitting her with an empty soju bottle. Their two-year-old son was seen crying close to the couple.

An acquaintance of the Vietnamese woman reported the case to the police, Friday, saying the man attacked her because of her poor Korean. Upon receiving the report, police separated the woman and her son from the man and put them up at a shelter.

According to the police, the Korean committed the assault while intoxicated and the victim sustained injuries that will require over four weeks to recover. She is now receiving treatment at a hospital.

Right after summoning and questioning the alleged attacker, the police requested an arrest warrant, citing the gravity of the case and possible retaliation.

The police plan to discuss support measures with relevant agencies.

The Vietnamese woman first started dating the Korean three years ago, but returned to Vietnam pregnant, according to police. Reunited last month, they have lived together since then.

However, the man was said to have often sworn at her after drinking, berating her language skills, and late last month, she was also allegedly beaten.