A Korean businessman who admitted to causing the death of his de-facto wife during a violent argument in 1997 was jailed for six years in 1998.
According to an article published on June 3 that year, Kim Nam Bae, 43, pleaded guilty to manslaughter when he appeared before Justice John Lyons in the High Court of Lautoka.
Mr Bae had earlier denied a charge of murdering Ki Hyun, 32, inside the former Las Vegas nightclub which they operated on Naviti St, Lautoka.
The office of the Director of Public Prosecutions agreed to reduce the charge to manslaughter after discussions initiated by Justice Lyons.
The court was told that Mr Bae and Ms Hyun came to Fiji together to do business.
But the nightclub which they operated started to face financial problems and they were forced to borrow money from friends in Korea.
On February 4, Ms Hyun went to Nadi and returned with $1000 but she had refused to tell him how she had obtained the money.
Bae, who was drunk, argued with Ms Hyun and began to assault her.
He punched, kicked and dragged her around before hitting her with a plastic water bottle partially filled with water.
When he realised that Ms Hyun was unconscious, he rushed her to the Lautoka Hospital. She died soon after being admitted.
Passing sentence, Justice Lyons said it was a tragic case.
He said financial pressures caused disharmony between the couple and led to the confrontation which caused Ms Hyun’s death.
“The medical report showed that her injuries were indicative of a severe assault,” he said.
Justice Lyons said it seemed that some men were fond of taking out their frustrations on women and such behaviours should never be tolerated in any society.
Justice Lyons said violence should never be used to settle disputes and excessive alcohol was no excuse for a crime.
Bae, who had already spent 16 months in custody, sobbed throughout the court sitting.
In mitigation, defence lawyer Mark Hancock said Bae had lost the woman he loved and would have to live with the trauma for the rest of his life.
Mr Hancock said Bae had also lost his business and an opportunity for a free life in Fiji.
The DPP’s office was represented by Hazia Shafique and Kevueli Tunidau,
Justice Lyons commended the three lawyers for their cooperation which led to the disposal of the case.
He said lawyers and State prosecutors should show a greater level of will to work together.
