Korean man gets reduced sentence for pouring boiling water on Thai wife's face

A Korean man sentenced to three years and six months in prison for pouring boiling water on his Thai wife's face had his sentence reduced on appeal, after the victim accepted a settlement of 15 million won ($11,300) and expressed a wish for leniency.

The first criminal division of the Uijeongbu District Court, presided over by Judge Jeong Do-young, sentenced the man, identified only as A, to three years in prison on charges of aggravated assault, according to legal sources Wednesday.

"The defendant reached a settlement with the victim, including paying her 15 million won, and the victim has expressed a wish for leniency toward the defendant," the court said. "Taking all sentencing factors presented in this case into comprehensive consideration, the original sentence is recognized as excessively harsh and unjust."

A had been indicted after pouring water boiled in a coffee kettle onto the face of his Thai wife, identified as B, at their home in Uijeongbu on Dec. 3 last year, causing second-degree burns.

B was transferred to a burn treatment specialist hospital in Seoul, where staff grew suspicious of assault and reported the case to police.

B ultimately disclosed the incident through a friend's SNS account, and the case drew controversy in Thailand after local media there picked up the story.

During the police investigation, A stated that he "wanted to make her face ugly so she couldn't meet other men," before later changing his account to claim he had accidentally spilled the water while falling. He subsequently admitted to all charges during trial and appealed for leniency.