Korean Man Sues Wife Over Life-Saving Decision, Court’s Ruling Sparks Heated Debate

A Korean man has sparked controversy after suing his wife for “malicious abandonment” when she refused to donate part of her liver to save his life.

The couple, both in their early 30s, had been married for three years and were raising a two-year-old and a newborn when the husband was diagnosed with a rare liver disease. He was told he had only a year to live without a transplant.

Tests revealed the wife was a near-perfect donor match, but she refused surgery, later explaining she feared the risks and worried their children could be left without a mother. Her refusal reportedly led to intense pressure, verbal abuse, and accusations from both the husband and his parents.

Although the husband eventually survived after receiving a liver from a brain-dead donor, he filed for divorce, accusing his wife of failing her spousal duties.

The court ruled in favor of the wife, emphasizing that organ donation is a matter of personal bodily autonomy and citing the husband’s coercive behavior as a key factor in the marriage’s breakdown.

The case has since gone viral online, with many netizens strongly defending the wife’s decision and questioning whether marriage should ever obligate someone to risk their life.