``The two will divorce and the father will take custody of their child," judge Kang Tae-kyu said in the ruling.
``The wife has been in the vegetative state for more than seven years and the parents of his wife have also agreed to the divorce," the ruling said. ``Her state constitutes an important factor in justifying the divorce.''
The court also said that it is ``reasonable'' for the father to take care of the child.
His wife fell into a coma in 2002 while giving birth. She has shown no improvement despite four years of hospitalization, and is now being taken care of at her parents' home.
The unidentified man had quit his job to take care of his wife but filed for divorce last year. The couple were married in 2001.
chojh@koreatimes.co.kr
7년 혼수 상태의 아내와 이혼 허용
서울 가정법원은 7년간 식물인간 상태에 있었던 아내와의 이혼을 허락했다.
강태규 부장판사는 판결에서 “둘은 이혼하고 양육원은 아버지가 갖는다”고 말했다.
판결문은 “아내가 7년 이상 식물상태에 있었고 아내의 부모께서 이혼에 합의해 주었다” 며 “아내의 현 상태가 이혼을 정당화해주는 중요한 요인이 된다”고 말했다.
이 남선은 혼수상태의 아내를 돌보느라 직장을 그만 두었으나 지난해 이혼소송을 냈다. 이들은 2001년 결혼했었다.
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