Voodoo Vince

S Korean court to rule on abolishing adultery law


South Korea's constitutional court on Thursday began considering a petition from actress Oh So-Ri (above left) seeking to abolish a law which makes adultery a criminal offence. She is awaiting trial for adultery after her actor husband Park Chul (above right) sued her and two men for allegedly having affairs with her.-- PHOTOS: THE KOREA TIMES, AP

SEOUL - SOUTH Korea's constitutional court on Thursday began considering a petition from a top actress seeking to abolish a law which makes adultery a criminal offence.

Ok So-Ri filed the petition in February, claiming the 54-year-old adultery law infringes on the right of individual choice in sexual relations.

The constitutional court has rejected three previous appeals on the grounds that social morality may be weakened.

'Based on today's hearing, a nine-member panel will make a decision later.

'We don't know when it will come,' spokesman Kim Bok-Gi said.

The hearing was attended by legal experts, justice ministry officials and lawyers, he said. It was not known whether Ok or her husband were present.

Ok, 39, is awaiting trial for adultery after her actor husband Park Chul sued her and two men for allegedly having affairs with her. They are a hotel chef of Italian descent and a Korean pop singer.

She admitted having an affair with a singer but put the blame on her loveless marriage to Park.

Park also filed a divorce suit against her. According to South Korean law, when a spouse accuses a partner of adultery he or she must also file for divorce.

The current law sets a maximum two-year prison sentence for an adulterer or adulteress.

Adultery debate
Ok's petition rekindled debate over whether adultery should be a criminal offence.

Some women's groups contend the law must be maintained to protect female rights in a traditionally male-dominated society.

A magazine survey quoted by newspapers showed that nearly 68 per cent of South Korean men and 12 per cent of women confessed to having sex outside marriage.

Critics say the law breaches an individual's right to sexual autonomy and has become outdated.

Court data shows the number of people jailed for adultery has declined sharply over the years. Last year only 47 were jailed while 592 were given suspended terms.

Some lawmakers are pushing for a Bill to abolish the criminal punishment of adultery.

Two liberal judges including Mr Do Jing-Gi filed separate petitions last year, saying adultery should be handled under civil and divorce laws.

Mr Do said it should be seen as a violation of trust and of sexual morality between wife and husband.

'Sex is a natural human desire and it is inappropriate to restrict it by law,' he said. - AFP


http://www.straitstimes.com/Latest%2...ry_235311.html

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People don't plan to fail... They fail to plan.

CaRe

I do hope that her petition do not backfire on her someday.

shypineapple

'Sex is a natural human desire and it is inappropriate to restrict it by law'......i agree with this statement.
but i still think is wrong o.o....lol

I know i screwed it up but I will love you forever.
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Huaikong

i dun support this.adultery is wrong imo......

Ning

how can they forget the vows they made during the wedding? haix adultery...

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Taki

Its morally wrong . But yah , its her choice. Its correct . Yet Not correct. it contradicts. Thats the problem with laws. . . thats why we need kira LOL . just joking.

But seriously speaking . Its really morally wrong , a breech of trust and breech of the oath taken during marriage . Trust in such prospect should be taken seriously , as , we are indeed , social animals, which communicate and interact becuase we have a certain degree of trust to our peers and fellow humans .


But .. aiya.. just contradict seriously ba.

Hirakawa

You shall not commit adultery (From 10 commandments)

xRebornZ

abolishing adultery law will leads to alot of adultery case to occur since it not against the law ,
it will oso lead to alot of divorce cases. POOR KIDS...

uyen

if they really going to abolish this rule,then thats means they allow ppls to have

adultery? !

人情味不是偏私而是博爱，

不是施舍而是关怀。

不是表面的礼貌，

而是内心的尊重。

Friends will bail you out of jail.but Best Friends will be sitting by you saying,
" that was awesome !"

Miss QQ

She is so selfish. I don't think she will get enough support.

Life is full of unexpected surprises

Huaikong

please strike that women wif lightning.....lol

Lenn

I'm Against Adultery! During the Wedding , You make Vows !