The client discovered that their spouse had engaged in an extramarital affair with a third party they met through Instagram, causing the client severe mental distress and significantly damaging the marital relationship. Consequently, the client decided to seek alimony from the individual involved in the affair. To hold the counterparty accountable for the psychological harm caused by the infidelity, the client filed a lawsuit for damages and appointed Law Firm THEO as their legal representative.

2. Key Issues of the Case

This case involved proving infidelity that originated from a relationship started on social media, in a situation where the counterparty did not actively admit to the affair. Furthermore, as the requested alimony amount was relatively high at 30 million KRW, a critical issue was how much liability the court would ultimately recognize. The case required a meticulous organization of facts, specifically using indirect evidence such as social media messages and the circumstances of the relationship to prove both the infidelity and the resulting infringement on the marital relationship.

3. Legal Assistance Provided

Through in-depth consultation with the client, Law Firm THEO detailed the circumstances of the infidelity and the extent of the marital breakdown. We systematically organized and submitted evidence to the court, including records of communication and the process of relationship formation via social media. Additionally, we actively litigated the case by specifically explaining the client’s mental suffering and the degree of damage to the marriage, emphasizing that the counterparty’s liability was by no means light.

4. Outcome of Assistance

As a result, the court comprehensively considered the circumstances and the submitted evidence, issuing a Decision of Recommendation for Reconciliation ordering the defendant to pay the plaintiff 24 million KRW in alimony. This represents a significant recognition of liability - approximately 80% of the 30 million KRW originally claimed -and constitutes a case where a relatively high amount was awarded compared to typical legal practice for such infidelity-related alimony cases. The client was able to receive recognition for a substantial amount of alimony relatively quickly without a prolonged dispute, and Law Firm THEO successfully delivered practical results in protecting the client's rights.