Back in July 2014, comedian-turned-pastor Seo Se Won shocked the public when a CCTV clip of him dragging his wife Seo Jung Hee by the leg was released. Although Seo Jung Hee agreed to drop assault charges in November and to divorce her husband, it appears that the couple is still going to trial as Seo Se Won is being charged with domestic violence. SEE ALSO: Shocking video of comedian Seo Se Won assaulting wife is revealed
On March 12, Seo Jung Hee spoke at the Seo Se Won's trial at the Seoul Central District Court. During her testimony, she revealed that she suffered from a 32-year-long severely abusive relationship.
Seo Jung Hee started, "When I first met my husband at 19-years-old, I suffered something similar to sexual abuse and two months later, we married. Afterwards, for 32 years I lived like a prisoner." She continued, "For 32 years, I suffered from Seo Se Won's assaults everyday. Whenever he would choke my neck in our room, I felt as if my tongue and eyes would pop out. I thought that I would die in that place."
Although Seo Jung Hee thought Seo Se Won's behavior would change once he became a pastor, his abuse actually became worse. Seo Jung Hee explained that she felt trapped in her relationship, saying, "Because I was scared of my husband, I did not dare have the courage to demand a divorce and endured [the abuse]."
Recently, Seo Jung Hee elaborated on the decades of abuse via a phone interview with 'channel A.' Seo Jung Hee explained that she married Seo Se Won because she felt ashamed that she lost her virginity to him, even if it was forced.
Seo Jung Hee goes on to imply that the source of Seo Se Won's violent behavior lies in his Othello syndrome, or delusional/morbid jealousy, a psychological disorder under which a person believes their spouse is having an affair without any real proof. She explained, "Seo Se Won's Othello syndrome was severe from the start. I didn't know back then. Even I don't understand why he lived like that."
She continued to reveal that after assaulting her, Seo Se Won would give her presents to make her feel better about the abuse. She said, "After assaulting me, he would buy me anything, take me on trips, and treat me to meat, because I like meat."
However, if her expression became hardened after abuse, Seo Se Won would feed her tranquilizers. Seo Jung Hee said, "I was a prisoner. If I did not have a happy expression, he would feed me tranquilizers at night. He would feed me the medicine he took for himself. These were not prescribed medications. I took what my husband gave me."
Seo Se Won took complete control over Seo Jung Hee's life, going so far as dictating her emotions. According to Seo Jung Hee, Seo Se Won even controlled her income as Seo Jung Hee earned a lot of money as an interior designer. Seo Jung Hee shared that Seo Se Won would spend her money as if it was his own and that she didn't even have her own signet.
Seo Jung Hee wept as she explained she felt she could not leave because of her children, concluding her story of abuse.
Meanwhile, Seo Se Won's side has stated that it's not worth replying to Seo Jung Hee's disclosure, with Seo Se Won's lawyer saying, "The judge will decide on the truth."
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