Choi Mal-ja, 78, has been fighting to overturn her 1964 conviction for self-defense during a sexual assault. South Korean prosecutors have apologized following her retrial, inspired by the #MeToo movement.
South Korean Woman’s 1964 Conviction for Defending Against Sexual Assault Reevaluated
South Korean Woman’s 1964 Conviction for Defending Against Sexual Assault Reevaluated
Prosecutors in South Korea issue a formal apology to Choi Mal-ja after decades of legal battle for justice.
In a landmark move, South Korean prosecutors have apologized to Choi Mal-ja, a woman convicted over 60 years ago for defending herself during a sexual assault. Choi, now 78, was sentenced in 1964 to 10 months in prison, suspended for two years, after she bit off part of her attacker’s tongue while he attempted to rape her at the age of 18.
The apology coincided with the start of her retrial in Busan, where the prosecution requested the court to overturn her conviction, a plea that has reignited discussions about justice and self-defense laws related to sexual violence in South Korea. “For 61 years, the state made me live as a criminal,” Choi told reporters outside the court, where she expressed hope that future generations could live free from sexual violence.
Busan's Chief Prosecutor Jeong Myeong-won stated, "We sincerely apologize," acknowledging the immense pain caused to Choi, who should have been protected instead of persecuted. A final ruling is expected on September 10, with commentators believing the court will acquit her.
Outside the courtroom, celebrating her potential victory with civic supporters, Choi raised her fist declaring: “We won!” The words echo the transformation and empowerment witnessed through the #MeToo movement in South Korean society.
Choi's case, stemming from an attack in 1964 when a 21-year-old man assaulted her, has been highlighted in legal discussions as a failure of the judicial system to recognize the nuances of self-defense in instances of sexual violence. Following decades of silence and suffering, Choi sought advocacy in the wake of the recent #MeToo movement, igniting renewed interest in her cause.
Despite initial setbacks in 2020 when her petition for retrial was denied, her perseverance paid off when the Supreme Court approved her case for retrial three years later. “I still can't believe it,” Choi stated after Wednesday's hearing, reinforcing her belief that “justice is alive” in the country. Her enduring fight for justice has transformed her into a symbol of resilience in the ongoing struggle for women's rights and recognition in South Korea.
