A Taiwanese man has been ordered to pay NT$200,000 in compensation to a woman’s husband after a court found that his affair with the married woman had seriously undermined their marriage.
The Tainan District Court heard that the husband, identified by the pseudonym Xiao Li, had been married to his wife, Mei Mei, for years and that they had underage children together. However, he later discovered that she had been secretly involved with another man, known as A Long.
According to court documents, Mei Mei first approached A Long after noticing that he was carrying a cat-shaped delivery bag. The pair began talking, and she allegedly told him that she and her husband were already separated and that she was “practically single”.
She also reportedly disclosed details of her past sexual experiences and sent A Long provocative messages and pictures. Although A Long later learnt that she was still married, their relationship continued.
The affair came to light in mid-April 2026, when Xiao Li became suspicious after noticing that his wife was frequently returning home later than usual and giving unclear explanations about her whereabouts. After repeatedly questioning her, Mei Mei eventually confessed.
The court examined their LINE messages and found that the exchanges contained explicit sexual descriptions, suggestive remarks and invitations to meet for sexual encounters at various locations, including a flood detention pond in Rende, convenience stores and motels.
In a handwritten confession, Mei Mei admitted that the pair had checked into motels on at least five occasions between January and March 2026. She also disclosed that they had engaged in sexual activity more than 10 additional times outside those documented visits.
Xiao Li subsequently sued A Long, seeking NT$1 million in compensation for emotional distress and the violation of his marital rights.
In his defence, A Long argued that Mei Mei had initiated the relationship and misled him into believing she was separated from her husband. He also cited his limited sexual experience, monthly salary of slightly more than NT$30,000 and responsibility for supporting his unemployed parents, asking the court to reduce the compensation.
However, the court ruled that A Long had continued the relationship despite knowing that Mei Mei was married. His repeated sexual encounters with her went beyond what society would generally consider acceptable and constituted a serious infringement of the husband’s marital rights, the judge found.
After considering the parties’ circumstances, financial positions and the emotional distress suffered by the husband, the court ordered A Long to pay NT$200,000 in compensation.
The ruling remains subject to appeal.
