Chunbuk Gunsan police arrested 52-year-old A on suspicion of murdering his wife and taking the body to the rice paddies.

A is accused of abandoning his body in a nearby ricefield after his wife was beaten to death at his home in Jongchon-dong, Gunsan City, North Jeolla Province, at about 11 pm on the 22nd.

He was arrested in a dormant shelter on the highway early today after he was told he had "had an accident" and flew away.

A stated, "I had a conflict with my married wife last year and was about to divorce."

Police will investigate the incident and apply for arrest warrants on charges of murder or assault against A.