Woman, 70s, gets 1 1/2 years in prison for stabbing husband amid drunken quarrel

A woman in her 70s who attacked her husband with a knife in an attempt to kill him while intoxicated was sentenced to one year and six months in prison.

According to legal officials Thursday, the 22nd Criminal Division of the Cheongju District Court, presided over by Judge Han Sang-won, handed down the sentence that day. The woman, identified only as A, in her 70s, had been detained and indicted on charges of attempted murder.

A is accused of attacking her husband, identified as B, in his 60s, with a knife during a quarrel at their home in Cheongju around 6:30 p.m. on March 15. She was heavily intoxicated at the time and allegedly attempted to kill him.

About 30 minutes before the attack, B had called police, saying he "could not handle his wife's drunken tirade," and took refuge at a nearby motel. He was attacked after returning home to retrieve his belongings, according to reports.

After attacking B with the knife, A chased after him, but was arrested at the scene by police who responded to a neighbor's report, catching her in the act.

Judge Han said, "The defendant claims she was in a state of diminished capacity due to severe intoxication at the time of the crime, but considering various circumstances, including the injuries suffered by the victim, it can be concluded that she foresaw the possibility that the victim could die."