Husband Who Poured Boiling Water on Wife Initially Protected by Victim, but Thai Wife Changes Stance... 'Thai Wife Severe Burn Trial' Reopened

Wife Changes Her Position After Previously Pleading for Leniency

Opinion Submitted Before Sentencing: "She Now Wants Him Punished"

Husband’s Final Statement: "My Wife Would Never Do Anything Bad to Me"

The criminal trial of a Korean husband who poured boiling water on his Thai wife’s face, causing severe burns, was reopened after the prosecution’s sentencing recommendation had already been completed. This came after the Thai wife, who had initially submitted a petition stating she did not want her husband to be punished, changed her position.

The image of a Thai wife with burns. Facebook capture

According to Yonhap News on May 7, presiding judge Kim Junyoung of the Uijeongbu District Court, Criminal Division 12, stated at the trial held that day, “Although the sentencing was originally scheduled for April after the conclusion of arguments, the proceedings have been reopened due to a change in the victim’s position.”

According to the court, the victim, a Thai woman in her 30s referred to as Ms. B, had maintained her stance of not wishing her husband, Mr. A, to be punished up until the prosecution’s sentencing request in March, and had also submitted a related petition. The court was reviewing whether to factor this into the sentencing.

However, before sentencing, the situation changed after lawyers from the Migrant Public Interest Support Center met with Ms. B and submitted an opinion letter to the court stating that she now wanted her husband to be punished. The court explained, “A court-appointed investigator conducted a sentencing investigation, and the results of this will be reflected in the sentencing.”

In his final statement, Mr. A said, “My wife, who visited me in prison, sent me letters and living expenses, would never do anything to harm me,” and added, “She is a thoughtful person, and I am sure she will return to her former self.”

Mr. A was indicted and taken into custody on charges of pouring boiling water, heated in a coffee pot, on the face and neck of his sleeping wife, Ms. B, in an apartment in Howon-dong, Uijeongbu, Gyeonggi Province, around noon on December 3, 2025, causing second-degree burns.

During the initial investigation, Mr. A denied the charges, claiming, “I accidentally spilled the boiling water when I fell.” However, Ms. B stated that immediately after the incident, Mr. A said, “I wanted to make your face unattractive so you wouldn’t meet other men,” and “Let’s stay together and I’ll take care of you,” according to reports.

At his trial in March, Mr. A admitted to all charges. At that time, he tearfully pleaded for leniency, saying, “I hurt my wife, whom I value more than my own life,” and “I kneel and apologize to my wife, who forgave such a terrible husband.” He also asked the court to consider his son, who is left alone, and his own father, who is battling illness.

The incident became public after Ms. B, through an acquaintance, shared her story in a Facebook group for Thais. Subsequently, local Thai media reported on the case, and as public outrage grew, about half of the nearly 10 million won in medical expenses was raised through donations.

The sentencing for Mr. A is scheduled to be held on June 16, 2026.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.