SEOUL (Reuters) - South Korean prosecutors on Wednesday demanded a popular actress who tried to overturn the country's law that criminalizes adultery be thrown in jail for a year and a half for having an affair, local media reported.The Marmot's Hole has a whole bunch of links related to this mess. The story I just quoted is the most-viewed story on Reuters, making this a good week for bad news from Korea. Certainly damaging to Korea's image overseas, one would think, but I'm more concerned about putting more kimchi in more American restaurants and more Korean dramas in more living rooms, thank you very much.
South Korean enacted its adultery law more than 50 years ago to protect women who had few rights in the male-dominated society but critics say now it is a draconian measure no longer fit for a country with an advanced civil and family court system.
Actress Ok So-ri's case has created a sensation in South Korea after she admitted to an affair with a singer and called on the country's Constitutional Court to overturn the statute that can send a person to jail for up to two years for adultery.
"The accuser (her husband) wanted a severe sentence," prosecutors said in court as to why they are seeking 18 months in jail for Ok, Yonhap news agency reported. Prosecutors were not available for comment.
Thursday, November 27, 2008
South Korean actress may go to jail for committing adultery without being paid.
I mean, given the thriving sex trade that's what I assume the primary objection is. From Reuters, via Ms. Parker in Korea:
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
4 comments:
I don't think that this is necessarily harmful to Korea's image overseas. Many people support criminalization of adultery, and are pleased when a country takes steps to punish it. So to many, Korea is setting a good example here.
It would be interesting to hear what your actual criticisms of the adultery law are.
Adultery isn't a good idea, but I think it's a symptom of a bad marriage more often than the cause of it. A country like Korea---where marriage has and has had important symbolic value and where a strong family has been a pillar of society---would rightly be against both divorce nad adultery. The double standard is harmful, and is reflective of a society that grossly mistreats women.
However, it's wrong to criminalize adultery while the sex trade is permitted to flourish, sans the few symbolic crackdowns here and there. It's wrong to seek to jail somebody engaging in consensual sex, while giving those who solicit prostitutes a day in "john school." I don't object to legalized prostitution, but that's another story.
I'm confused--was she screwing Mr.Jung or the Italian guy?
A criticism of the current adultery law is that it is simply archaic. Correct me if I'm wrong, but Korea is the only industrialized nation to still have such a law on the books. Countries that still have such laws on the books include India, Pakistan, and Iran; some such penalties include DEATH. That's great company to be in.
Make it a civil matter, and I would have no problem with it. Sue for damages if you think you're entitled to them.
But JAIL time? Ridiculous.
Having CONSENTUAL sex between two ADULTS is jailable, but fucking your underaged retarded niece for years is not even a slap on the wrist... THAT is fucked up.
Post a Comment