Apology Issued to South Korean Woman Convicted for Self-Defense in 1964 Assault

Choi Mal-ja, now 78, has spent decades fighting for vindication after being convicted in 1964 for defending herself against a sexual assault.

Prosecutors in South Korea have formally apologized to Choi Mal-ja, a woman convicted decades ago for defending herself during a violent sexual assault. The incident, which occurred in 1964 when Ms. Choi was only 18, led to her conviction for biting off part of her assailant's tongue as he reportedly attempted to rape her.

Now 78 years old, Ms. Choi has tirelessly campaigned to have her conviction overturned, drawing inspiration from the resurgence of the #MeToo movement in South Korea. In a notable retrial event in Busan, prosecutors declared their remorse and requested the courts to overturn her guilty verdict.

"For 61 years, the state made me live as a criminal," Ms. Choi expressed to reporters, emphasizing her hope that future generations may live free from the specter of sexual violence. At the retrial's opening, Chief Prosecutor Jeong Myeong-won publicly apologized, acknowledging the profound pain inflicted on Ms. Choi, who should have been regarded as a victim rather than a criminal.

Scheduled for a final ruling on September 10, legal experts suggest a likely reversal of her conviction is anticipated. Celebrating outside the courtroom, Ms. Choi raised her fist in triumph, declaring, “We won!” while embracing fellow advocates who supported her cause.

In the incident from 1964, Ms. Choi was attacked by a 21-year-old man who forcibly tried to assault her. She defended herself by inflicting serious injury to her assailant, resulting in a lesser sentence for him compared to her own harsher punishment, despite being a victim of sexual violence. The case has since been referenced in legal contexts highlighting the failure of the judicial system to recognize valid self-defense claims in incidents of sexual assault.

Inspired by the renewed activism surrounding the #MeToo movement in South Korea, Ms. Choi began advocating for a retrial in 2020, reflecting the shifting societal attitudes towards women's rights and self-defense. Although her initial petition was denied, she persisted and ultimately received support from the Supreme Court for a retrial. Ms. Choi’s story has gained national attention, symbolizing a broader struggle against longstanding injustices regarding women's rights in the nation.

Expressing disbelief at the prosecutors’ acknowledgment of their error, Ms. Choi affirmed, “If the prosecution is admitting its mistake even now, then I believe justice is alive in this country.”