Man, 96, admits to killing wife over suspected infidelity

A 96-year-old man who killed his wife, who was in her 80s, over suspected infidelity has acknowledged the charges against him in court.

At a hearing Thursday before Judge Kim Se-yong of the 12th Criminal Division of the Seoul Eastern District Court, the defendant's attorney said the accused "acknowledges the facts of the indictment" on the murder charge.

When the court asked the defendant directly whether he admitted to the charges, he initially said "I'm not sure" before saying "I acknowledge it."

He said he had difficulty hearing the court's questions because he was not wearing his hearing aid, which he normally uses.

The court ordered him to appear with his hearing aid at the next hearing, scheduled for Oct. 22.

His attorney also asked the court to order a psychiatric evaluation to assess his mental state and the degree of his criminal responsibility.

The defendant is accused of strangling his wife at their apartment in Gwangjin-gu, Seoul, in July. She was taken to a hospital but ultimately died.

Immediately after the attack, he called another family member and confessed to what he had done. The family then reported the incident to police.

During the police investigation, he told investigators he had strangled his wife during an argument after becoming convinced she was having an affair.