Korean man sues wife for ‘malicious abandonment’ after she refuses to donate liver to save him
Ruling highlights husband’s coercive behaviour and verbal abuse, making him primarily accountable for relationship’s deterioration
A South Korean man sued his wife for “malicious abandonment” and filed for divorce after she refused to donate part of her liver to save him, sparking heated debate on Chinese social media.
The couple, both in their early 30s, had been married for three years and were raising two daughters – a two-year-old and a newborn just one month old at the time of his diagnosis.
Last winter, the husband was diagnosed with primary biliary cirrhosis, a rare liver disease, and doctors warned that without a transplant, he had only a year to live.
Desperate to save him, his parents sold their home to fund his treatment, while his wife remained by his side, diligently caring for him.
A miracle seemed to occur when tests revealed that she was a perfect donor match. Her HLA (Human Leukocyte Antigen) compatibility exceeded 95 per cent, making her the ideal candidate for the transplant.
However, when the husband asked her to proceed, she refused. She informed the doctors and his family that she suffered from a “pathological fear of needles and sharp objects” and could not face surgery.