The New York Times article “Koreans Agog as Off-Screen Soap Becomes Courtroom Drama” brought to light a Korean law I was unaware of, that extramarital affairs are considered illegal in South Korea. Park Chul, a Korean actor, pressed charges against his wife, Ok So-ri for having an affair with his friend. The defendant/wife, in a brilliant counter-move, led a very public press conference announcing she did have an affair with her husband’s friend, claiming 1) she and her husband only had sex ten times in eleven years, and 2) the law is outdated and should be changed anyway.
The article also points out that incest is not illegal in Korea but extramarital affairs are. I can’t help but wonder if there needs to be some major changes in legislation.
The clincher? The amazing quote that ends the article, attributed to a female student at Ewha Ha Ji-Eun, which is telling of perhaps many conservative views of women and men who believe this law has its protections:
“Korean men, many of them still get away with adultery because women are weak,” Ms. Ha said. “It was as recently as during my grandparents’ days that men brought in concubines and kicked out their wives. If this law is abolished, I am sure women will suffer more.”
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Moye wrote:
I don’t know what’s worse…posting complaints about your husband on youtube or calling a press conference.
Posted on 19-May-08 at 3:04 pm | Permalink
John wrote:
Hey, Rudy Giuliani did that with his second wife - announcing that he intended to separate from her before telling her privately!
Posted on 19-May-08 at 3:08 pm | Permalink
Jen wrote:
i think a press conference can be justified, esp if the hubby is going to bring the wife to court for having an affair.
the public can have the opportunity to hear her side of the story….esp if the media is covering the husband’s lawsuit without taking into account the wife’s perspective.
Posted on 19-May-08 at 3:12 pm | Permalink
Amyable wrote:
South Korea is still very much a male-dominated, male-power country from what I can gather. So, all power to Ok So Ri for not taking this lying down (no pun intended). Being a country with one of the fastest growing divorce rates, the law seems very outdated anyway.
Posted on 19-May-08 at 8:15 pm | Permalink
Lana wrote:
Ironically, it was the women’s groups in Korea who were/are the staunchest supporters of the Adultery law.
If Korea wants to really step into the 21st century they GOT TO get rid of the ‘hermit kingdom’ mentality that so pervades that society. I mean, at least TRY.
Posted on 19-May-08 at 11:14 pm | Permalink
ancient one wrote:
Lana, for those of us who don’t know, what is the “hermit kingdom mentality?”
Posted on 20-May-08 at 10:04 am | Permalink
Chloe wrote:
If you really understand the society and the women’s social/legal status ten years ago, you would agree that this law has protected “women’s rights” in Korea. We can’t make a quick judgment on other cultures in the eyes of westerners - or should I say “Americans” — without comprehensive understanding.
Traditionally, the women’s groups in Korea supported the adultery law to protect women - less previledged both financially and socially - from getting divorced without any rights to their children and financial independence. (In Korea, the father assumes the custody of children in case of divorce.)
However, more and more women’s groups turn to oppose to this law as they recognize the social/economical/financial/legal progress that women in the country have made. It was only recently that we can comfortably say, “let’s do something about it.”
Posted on 20-May-08 at 10:26 am | Permalink