[Herald DB]
[Herald DB]

A man who forced his wife, who has an intellectual disability, to work at a bar to earn living expenses had his sentence reduced to a suspended term on appeal.

Seoul Southern District Court's Criminal Appeals Division 3-3 sentenced Kim, 26, to two years in prison, suspended for three years, on charges of violating the Act on Welfare of Persons with Disabilities and the Act on Special Cases Concerning the Punishment of Domestic Violence Crimes.

The court also issued an order barring Kim from working at institutions for people with disabilities for five years.

A lower court had sentenced Kim to two years in prison, but the appeals court reduced the sentence to a suspended term.

The court said it considered Kim's confession, his reaching a settlement with the victim, and his payment of compensation as grounds for the reduction.

The victim's attorney submitted a settlement agreement and a letter of non-prosecution to the court on Friday.

Kim is accused of telling his wife, who has an intellectual disability, starting in 2024 that she should try working as a hostess since she enjoyed singing, and arranging for her to work at a bar.

The victim worked at the bar for about eight months, according to investigators.

During that period, she was raped four times and subsequently underwent an abortion.


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