“Breaking Her Nose in Front of the Children”... What the Husband Said When She Asked for a Divorce

[Financial News] A woman who was assaulted by her husband in front of their children and suffered injuries requiring seven weeks of treatment, including a broken nose, has decided to divorce him but is facing conflict over custody. Her husband reportedly argued that he should raise the children because he earns more money.
According to YTN Radio’s “Attorney Jo In-seop’s Counseling Center” on the 21st, a woman who works as a freelance translator sought legal advice about her husband’s violent behavior and the issue of raising their children after a divorce.
The woman said that while working as a freelance translator, she also took primary responsibility for raising the children and doing the housework. She started work early in the morning, took the children to school, then did the housework and even prepared dinner to be ready when her husband got home from work.
After dinner, she would return to her translation work and work until late at night, she said.
However, whenever things did not go the way he wanted, her husband would repeatedly behave aggressively, such as kicking objects or swearing, she said.
On one occasion, he threw and broke his wife’s phone in front of their children. He then grabbed her by the hair, shoved her against a wall, and assaulted her by knocking her to the floor.
Police who arrived at the scene after receiving a report asked him to open the front door, but her husband refused. The police eventually forced the door open and entered the home.
The woman, who had been assaulted, was diagnosed with injuries requiring seven weeks of treatment, including a broken nose. Her husband was indicted in connection with the incident and found guilty in the court of first instance.
After the incident, her husband wrote a pledge and asked for forgiveness, and the woman decided to stay in the marriage. But his behavior reportedly did not change significantly afterward.
Although the physical assaults stopped, he continued to disclose to people around them what they had discussed in couples counseling and to criticize his wife’s family.
Her husband also mocked her in front of their children by imitating the way she had collapsed after being assaulted in the past.
He reportedly even tore his own shirt and filmed himself claiming that his wife had grabbed him by the collar.
The woman said that after she asked for a divorce, her husband invoked his financial means and claimed he should have custody. She said, “When I asked for a divorce, my husband said he would raise the children because he earns more money.”
She also expressed concern that the children might be subjected to violent behavior when they see their father after the divorce. The woman asked, “Even if I get custody, the children will have to see my husband, and I’m worried he might behave violently. What can I do to divorce safely and protect the children?”
Attorney Bae Bo-ram explained that ongoing verbal abuse and psychological harassment can be recognized as grounds for divorce even if direct physical violence has stopped.
Attorney Bae said, “Even without physical assault, repeated verbal abuse, psychological harassment, and abnormal behavior in front of the children are grounds for divorce. The fact that the husband was found guilty in a criminal trial over the assault will work in the woman’s favor when the amount of compensation is determined.”
She said that custody is not decided solely on the basis of the parents’ income. The court considers the children’s best interests, including their existing care arrangements, emotional relationships, and living environment.
Attorney Bae said, “When deciding who will have custody, the court gives top priority to the children’s best interests. It considers not only financial means but also who has been caring for the children, their emotional bonds with each parent, and whether they have a stable living environment.”
She explained that the fact that the children witnessed their father’s assault could also affect the custody decision. Attorney Bae said, “Given that the husband assaulted his wife in front of the children, the woman is more likely to be designated as their primary caregiver.”
She explained that a mother does not lose custody simply because her husband earns more, saying, “The fact that the husband has a higher income is not a reason the woman cannot get custody; rather, it can be grounds for her to receive more child support.”
She noted that there are legal procedures to ensure the children’s safety during visitation with their father after the divorce.
Attorney Bae said, “If there are concerns about the children’s safety, the court can be asked to restrict or prohibit visitation. Visitation can be limited to a safe neutral location, or a third party, such as a family member or staff member of a professional organization, can be present.”
She explained that it is also possible to reduce the frequency or duration of visits. Attorney Bae added, “There are ways to limit the frequency and duration of visitation. It may help to submit records of the children’s counseling or treatment, along with evidence supporting the fact that they witnessed the assault.”


[email protected] Han Seung-gon Reporter