30s Couple Sentenced to Prison for Threatening and Water Torturing Their 60s Mother

Court: "Need to Sound an Alarm on Heinous Crimes"

A couple in their 30s was sentenced to prison for abusing a mother in her 60s.

[Asia Economy Reporter Kang Woo-seok] A couple in their 30s who abused a mother in her 60s by kicking and water torture has been sentenced to prison.

The Suwon District Court Criminal Division 16 (Judge Song Myung-chul) announced on the 17th that Kang Mo (34, Chinese nationality), who was indicted for violating the Act on the Punishment of Violent Acts, was sentenced to one year in prison. Kang's husband, Kim Mo (37, Chinese nationality), who was indicted on the same charges, was sentenced to 10 months in prison.

Kang was indicted for kicking her mother-in-law, Ms. A (66), multiple times on October 24 last year at the restaurant she runs, because Ms. A was clumsy at work.

She also threatened to pour hot water on Ms. A in the restaurant kitchen on November 6 last year, accusing her of lying, and her son Kim poured boiling water toward the victim, injuring Ms. A.

On December 1, the couple tortured Ms. A again by grabbing her hair and dragging her into the bathroom, where they repeatedly submerged her head in the bathtub water, after Ms. A stayed overnight at a friend's house.

It was reported that Ms. A had been living with the couple since June last year, and due to their abuse, she suffered fractures in her waist and ribs and had been receiving hospital treatment.

The court stated, "Although the defendants reached a settlement by paying a considerable amount of compensation to the victim during the trial, strict punishment corresponding to their guilt is necessary to sound an alarm against filial crimes. However, considering that the victim no longer wishes for punishment against the defendants, that the defendants have young children to support, and that they have belatedly acknowledged their wrongdoing and shown remorse, the sentence was determined comprehensively."