"Boss sexually assaults wife"… KakaoTalk messages show "Office honey," sparking truth dispute

Suspect Claims "Turned Unfaithful Wife into Sexual Assault Victim to Demand Settlement"
Police Say "Plan to Verify Evidence Authenticity through Mobile Phone Forensics"

The scene of Mr. B, the head of the Elderly Protection Center, pulling social worker Mr. A's arm and entering the building, and the KakaoTalk conversation revealed as of the 21st of last month. / Photo by MBC broadcast screen, online community BobaeDream capture

[Asia Economy Reporter Na Ye-eun] A post on the Blue House National Petition claiming that a social worker wife was repeatedly sexually assaulted by the head of a welfare center and subsequently attempted an extreme act has sparked public outrage. However, a claim that "the two were in an affair" has emerged, causing controversy.

The accused workplace superior submitted KakaoTalk conversations exchanged with the petitioner’s wife as evidence to refute the sexual assault allegations, asserting that the encounters were consensual.

Earlier on the 22nd, a post titled "My wife was raped by her workplace superior" was uploaded on the Blue House National Petition board. The petitioner identified himself as "the husband of social worker A, who has been working at a senior welfare center since last November," and claimed that his wife was sexually assaulted by B, the representative who is the son of the center’s director, through abuse of power. The petitioner stated that he has filed a police complaint against B.

A’s husband said, "I have already given up going to work for a month and cannot leave my wife’s side for even a moment, fearing she might take an extreme step. Our three children are trembling with anxiety and often cry out loud, worried that something might happen to their mother."

Photo by Online Community BobaeDream Capture

The issue spread through online communities and various media, encouraging people to join the petition. However, on the 26th, a netizen posted on the online community BobaeDream, commenting, "I do not want to expose this to the world, but I am posting this defensively as it is unavoidable," and revealed the KakaoTalk conversation.

The netizen claimed, "(The husband) turned his unfaithful wife into a sexual assault victim and demanded a large settlement of 400 million won," adding, "It is heartbreaking to see how he tries to bear the consequences of false accusations." The disclosed conversation included messages such as "See you tomorrow, honey," "Office wife signing off, see you tomorrow," "I’m bored being alone," and "I’m going to sleep. See you tomorrow."

In response, a netizen who appears to be A’s husband appeared and rebutted, "B confessed to my wife starting in January, and my wife informed me, so I began to be wary of B. In March, I met him in person and warned him, didn’t I?" He added, "Even after that, B did not stop, and starting in April, he began committing despicable acts against my resisting wife inside a cramped car."

Following the release of the KakaoTalk conversation, the controversy has intensified online. Given the significant differences in both parties’ positions, many netizens are responding that "we need to watch the case closely."

On the 22nd, a national petition was posted stating that the wife has been suffering from mental distress after being sexually assaulted by her workplace superior and attempting an extreme act. / Photo by Cheongwadae National Petition Capture

Meanwhile, the Naju Police Station in Jeollanam-do began investigating the case on the 25th of last month following the victim’s husband’s complaint. The police have booked the representative without detention on charges of sexual intercourse and molestation by abuse of authority at work. Both the victim and the suspect (center representative) have been questioned once.

A police official stated, "Recently, B denied the sexual assault allegations and submitted screenshots of KakaoTalk conversations exchanged with A as evidence," adding, "We plan to verify the authenticity of the evidence through forensic analysis of the mobile phone." In the KakaoTalk conversations submitted by B to the police, A refers to B as "honey" and "office darling," and A calls herself B’s "office wife." This supports the claim of consensual sexual relations. If these claims are true, A’s couple could face charges of false accusation.

The police official said, "It is difficult to predict the investigation outcome based solely on the claims of both parties," and added, "We will handle the case strictly after thorough evidence examination."

According to Article 297 of the Criminal Act, rape refers to a criminal act of engaging in inappropriate sexual contact or intercourse by using unjust methods such as violence, intimidation, or fraud without the consent of the other party. It is punishable by imprisonment for not less than three years.

Article 156 of the Criminal Act defines false accusation as reporting false facts with the intent to subject another person to criminal or disciplinary action. It is punishable by imprisonment for up to ten years or a fine of up to 15 million won.