A wife who exposed her husband's affair online and was subsequently sued for defamation in divorce proceedings sought legal consultation regarding the potential division of billions of won in Bitcoin assets.
According to YTN Radio's "Attorney Cho In-seop's Consultation" on Tuesday, A, a full-time housewife married for 10 years, had devoted herself to raising their 9-year-old child and supporting her husband, an IT startup CEO. Bitcoin that her husband purchased before marriage had increased more than 100-fold to reach tens of billions of won, yet A's lifestyle remained unchanged. Her husband insisted "this money is mine" and did not provide sufficient living expenses.
Several months ago, A discovered evidence of an affair with an employee on her husband's mobile phone. When confronted, her husband responded nonchalantly, saying "so what?" When the enraged A posted an exposé on an online mothers' community, her husband filed for divorce, claiming "you are the at-fault spouse for defamation."
Attorney Lee Jae-hyun of Law Firm Sinseigaero said, "While the exposé may constitute defamation, the husband is the at-fault spouse since his affair is the decisive grounds for divorce," adding that "in principle, divorce petitions by an at-fault spouse are not permitted."
Regarding asset division, Lee noted, "Pre-marital separate property is in principle not subject to division, but an exception applies if the spouse contributed to its maintenance or increase," adding that "given that she handled all household duties and childcare for 10 years, there is a possibility of division."