Husband Found Not Guilty for Wifes Death
By Kim Rahn
Staff Reporter
A husband whose confinement of his wife ended in her death from a fall from a balcony was cleared of killing her Monday, though his conviction for confinement was upheld.
The Seoul High Court upheld a lower court's one-year suspended prison term for a 46-year-old man "Yun." The verdict rejected prosecutors' demand to charge him for her death as well.
In September last year, Yun fought at home with his 39-year-old wife "Yang" over her alleged extramarital affairs. He pulled her hair and dragged her into a room, demanding that she confess.
The fight lasted for about 15 minutes, and she asked him to bring her a glass of water. She said she would then confess.
When Yun went for the water, his wife jumped from the balcony of their fifth-floor apartment to escape. She suffered serious injuries and died in hospital.
The lower court convicted Yun for confinement, but prosecutors appealed, saying he should also be charged with her murder since he could predict her possible escape through the balcony and death.
The high court, however, turned down the appeal over lack of evidence.
``Yun confined his wife for only 15 minutes," the ruling said. "As he went for water at the time, Yang was in no imminent danger. He was apparently unable to predict her falling from the balcony.''
``An autopsy on Yang's body also proved inconclusive over if she voluntarily jumped or was pushed by her husband from the balcony. Since no evidence links Yun to her fall, he is not responsible for her death.''