A tragic case in South Korea has shocked the public after a newlywed woman was killed by her husband only three months into their marriage. The motive, investigators revealed, was her refusal to have S with him while she was on her period.
The victim, identified as 35-year-old Yoo Hye-young (name transliterated), was married to a studio owner surnamed Seo. They had dated for about 10 months before tying the knot in December last year. On 13 March, Yoo was found dead in their Seoul home.
An autopsy confirmed that she died from asphyxiation due to neck compression. Bruises on her lip and red marks around her throat pointed clearly to strangulation. Despite this, her 35-year-old husband initially acted as the chief mourner at her funeral and denied wrongdoing, even as her family raised doubts.
Husband Confessed After Police Intervention
It was only after police intervened at the funeral parlour that Seo admitted to the crime. He told officers that he became enraged when his wife refused S while menstruating, saying her rejection made him feel disrespected.
Investigators described Seo as having a strong obsession with S-activity, frequently pressuring his wife to comply with his demands. Reports revealed that the victim had suffered a miscarriage months earlier, yet Seo continued to insist on intercourse despite her ongoing recovery.
Text messages obtained by police showed Yoo confided in friends about her anger and frustration. In one message, she said her husband forced intimacy even though her body had not fully healed, calling him “a S-crazed madman” and regretting her decision to marry him.
Signs of Abuse Ignored Before Tragedy
Family members and neighbours also shared troubling accounts. Yoo’s sister recalled Seo once saying, “If I can’t be intimate with my wife, should I spend money outside instead?” Neighbours reported hearing noises on the night of her death, including what sounded like laboured breathing and dragging sounds.
The case is now moving to court, with Seo facing murder charges. Under South Korean law, pre-trial detention cannot exceed six months, meaning the trial must conclude within that period. He has yet to formally enter a plea.
The case has drawn national attention, sparking discussions on marital abuse, women’s rights, and the dangers of ignoring red flags in relationships. For many, it serves as a grim reminder that toxic control and coercion can escalate into deadly violence if left unaddressed.