Choi Mal-ja, now 78, has spent decades seeking to overturn her conviction for biting off part of her attacker's tongue during an assault she endured at 18 years old.
**South Korean Woman's Long Fight for Justice Shines in Apology from Prosecutors**
**South Korean Woman's Long Fight for Justice Shines in Apology from Prosecutors**
Prosecutors in South Korea express regret over the conviction of a woman who defended herself against a sexual assault in 1964.
Prosecutors in South Korea have publicly apologized to Choi Mal-ja, a woman convicted over 60 years ago for defending herself against a sexual predator. In 1964, at just 18 years old, Choi faced a brutal attack from a man who attempted to rape her. During the struggle, she bit off a portion of his tongue, an act that led to her conviction for grievous bodily harm. Choi was sentenced to 10 months in prison, suspended for two years, while her attacker received a lighter sentence for trespassing and intimidation.
On Wednesday, during a retrial in Busan, prosecutors prompted a stirring reaction from Choi and her supporters by admitting their error and requesting the court to annul her conviction. "For 61 years, the state made me live as a criminal," Choi expressed outside the courtroom, emphasizing her hope for a future devoid of sexual violence for younger generations. The lead prosecutor in Busan, Jeong Myeong-won, echoed this sentiment, stating, "We sincerely apologize," acknowledging the profound pain Choi has endured.
After the hearing, Choi, now 78, celebrated her emotional victory by raising her fist and proclaiming, "We won!" She had been inspired by South Korea's #MeToo movement to pursue justice, and her case has been pivotal in discussions surrounding women's rights and self-defense laws in the country. Choi faced significant challenges in her quest for a retrial, initially being denied in 2020. However, three years later, the Supreme Court rerouted the case.
Choi's case highlights the complexities within the legal system regarding self-defense in scenarios of sexual violence. During her original trial, the court concluded that her response exceeded the “reasonable bounds” of self-defense, a ruling that has since been critiqued and cited as a failure of the justice system. As the final ruling on her retrial approaches on September 10, observers are hopeful that justice will prevail for Choi Mal-ja, whose relentless fight symbolizes a larger societal change in South Korea.
