In brief
In a pivotal retrial, Choi Mal-ja, now 78, received an apology from prosecutors regarding her 1964 conviction when she bit off part of her attacker’s tongue while defending herself against an attempted sexual assault. The ruling is poised to change the narrative around self-defense in cases of sexual violence in the country.
During her retrial in Busan, prosecutors publicly acknowledged the state’s misjudgment and asked for her conviction to be overturned, emphasizing her victimization and calling for a re-examination of the legal framework surrounding such cases.Choi Mal-ja was attacked in 1964 by a man who forced himself on her, and, in desperation, she bit his tongue as he attempted to rape her. He faced a lukewarm sentence while Choi received a punishment that branded her a criminal.Inspired by the #MeToo movement, Choi sought justice for years and finally got the opportunity for a retrial. Many expect a supportive verdict in September, marking an important moment for women’s rights and self-defense acknowledgment in South Korea. Celebrating the prosecution's apology, Choi expressed her hope for a future free from sexual violence for younger generations, affirming, "We won!"
