Prosecutors Apologize for Historic Conviction of South Korean Woman Defending Herself Against Assault**

Choi Mal-ja, who was sentenced for biting her attacker’s tongue in self-defense during a 1964 sexual assault, is now a symbol of the ongoing struggle for justice in South Korea, as prosecutors seek to overturn her conviction in light of the #MeToo movement.**

Prosecutors in South Korea have offered an official apology to Choi Mal-ja, a woman who faced conviction for defending herself against a violent assault over 60 years ago. Choi, now 78, received a 10-month prison sentence, which was suspended for two years, after she bit off a portion of her attacker's tongue during a alleged rape attempt in 1964, when she was just 18 years old. Since then, she has fought tirelessly to have her conviction overturned, inspired by the recent resurgence of the #MeToo movement.

On Wednesday, her long-awaited retrial commenced in Busan, where prosecutors acknowledged the injustice she endured and requested the court to nullify her guilty verdict. “For 61 years, the state made me live as a criminal,” Choi stated outside the court, voicing her optimism for future generations to live free from sexual violence. Busan's Chief Prosecutor, Jeong Myeong-won, expressed remorse for the "indescribable pain and agony" inflicted upon Choi, urging courts to recognize her as a victim instead of a suspect.

Ms. Choi's bravery on that fateful day is rooted in a traumatic incident that has since become emblematic of the ongoing struggle for women’s rights in the country. In 1964, an assailant overpowered her, pressing his tongue into her mouth during the attack. In contrast, while Choi was sentenced for grievous bodily harm, her attacker merely received a six-month sentence for lesser charges of trespassing and intimidation, without ever facing a charge for attempted rape.

The impact of her case resonated across South Korea, culminating in a petition for retrial that Choi initially filed in 2020, 56 years after the crime. Although her request was initially denied, a breakthrough came when the Supreme Court permitted her retrial in 2023, reflecting the shifting societal attitudes toward women's rights and self-defense in cases involving sexual violence.

In the midst of this legal battle, Choi’s story has become a beacon of hope and resilience. After the recent hearing, she celebrated victory alongside supporters, raising her fist and declaring, “We won!” Her journey signifies a critical moment for women in South Korea, signifying that justice can emerge from the shadows of a painful past. With a final ruling anticipated on September 10, legal experts predict that her conviction will be overturned, further validating her long and arduous fight for justice.