In brief
Choi Mal-ja, now 78, bit off part of her attacker's tongue during a sexual assault in 1964 and was controversially convicted of causing bodily harm. Her ongoing fight for justice has drawn attention, with recent developments signaling a potential overturning of her conviction following an apology from prosecutors.
Prosecutors in South Korea have issued a formal apology to a woman who was convicted more than six decades ago for defending herself against a violent sexual assault. Choi Mal-ja, now 78 years old, was sentenced to a suspended 10-month prison term in 1964 for biting off part of her attacker's tongue while he attempted to rape her when she was only 18.In light of the recent #MeToo movement in South Korea, Ms. Choi has advocated tirelessly for the reversal of her conviction. Her retrial commenced on Wednesday in Busan, where prosecutors expressed regret and requested the court to nullify her guilty verdict. "For 61 years, the state made me live as a criminal," Ms. Choi said before the hearing, emphasizing her hope for a future free from sexual violence for the next generations.The chief prosecutor, Jeong Myeong-won, acknowledged the grave error in Ms. Choi's past treatment, stating, "We sincerely apologize." He added that she had endured "indescribable pain and agony" as a victim of a sex crime who should have been afforded protection.A ruling from the court is expected on September 10, with many observing that it will likely be in favor of Ms. Choi. Post-hearing, she celebrated the support from civic organizations while declaring, "We won!" In 1964, Ms. Choi was assaulted by a 21-year-old man who forced his tongue into her mouth and pinned her on the ground in Gimhae. Her desperate response to bite off 1.5cm of his tongue led to her prosecution, while her attacker received a mere six-month suspended sentence for trespassing. The court at the time deemed her actions excessive for self-defense.Choi's case has become emblematic of systemic failures in recognizing self-defense in sexual violence incidents within South Korean legal circles. Fueled by the #MeToo movement in the late 2010s, she finally pursued legal redress and, after initially facing rejection in 2020, saw her retrial permitted by the Supreme Court three years later.Ms. Choi's enduring fight for justice and her public activism have made her a prominent figure in the ongoing discourse around sexual violence and women's rights in South Korea. Following the recent acknowledgments from the prosecution, she expressed disbelief and hope, affirming, "If the prosecution is admitting its mistake even now, then I believe justice is alive in this country."
