South Korean Court Convicts Actor Who Challenged Adultery Ban
Ok So-ri given suspended jail term of eight months after trying without success to overturn national ban on extramarital sex
A popular actor who has campaigned in vain to overturn South Korea's ban on adultery was given a suspended prison sentence today after she admitted having an affair with a singer.
The court sentenced Ok So-ri to eight months in prison, suspended for two years. Her lover received a six-month suspended sentence.
Earlier this year the 40-year-old actor unsuccessfully fought against the criminalization of adultery, which is part of the country's 55-year-old criminal code. In a case taken to the country's constitutional court, her lawyers argued that the law amounted to an unconstitutional invasion of privacy. "The adultery law has degenerated into a means of revenge by the spouse, rather than a means of saving a marriage," they argued.
In October the court upheld the ban.
South Korea remains deeply conservative and is influenced by a Confucian heritage despite decades of western influence. Supporters of the adultery ban say it promotes monogamy and keeps families intact.
The number of adultery cases filed in South Korea declined to 8,070 in 2006 from 12,760 in 2000, according to the country's supreme prosecutor's office. About 80% of those cases were dropped before formal charges were filed, largely because complaints were withdrawn.
The court sentenced Ok So-ri to eight months in prison, suspended for two years. Her lover received a six-month suspended sentence.
Earlier this year the 40-year-old actor unsuccessfully fought against the criminalization of adultery, which is part of the country's 55-year-old criminal code. In a case taken to the country's constitutional court, her lawyers argued that the law amounted to an unconstitutional invasion of privacy. "The adultery law has degenerated into a means of revenge by the spouse, rather than a means of saving a marriage," they argued.
In October the court upheld the ban.
South Korea remains deeply conservative and is influenced by a Confucian heritage despite decades of western influence. Supporters of the adultery ban say it promotes monogamy and keeps families intact.
The number of adultery cases filed in South Korea declined to 8,070 in 2006 from 12,760 in 2000, according to the country's supreme prosecutor's office. About 80% of those cases were dropped before formal charges were filed, largely because complaints were withdrawn.
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