The 78-year-old woman, who defended herself against sexual assault in 1964, receives support from the #MeToo movement as she seeks to overturn her conviction.
South Korean Woman Celebrates Retrial After Decades of Injustice
South Korean Woman Celebrates Retrial After Decades of Injustice
Choi Mal-ja, wrongfully convicted for self-defense, receives a formal apology from prosecutors 61 years after a traumatic attack.
Prosecutors in South Korea extended a formal apology to Choi Mal-ja, a woman who was unjustly convicted for defending herself from a sexual assault over six decades ago. The 78-year-old, who has tirelessly campaigned for her conviction to be overturned, was originally sentenced to 10 months in prison (suspended for two years) for biting off part of her attacker’s tongue during a violent encounter in 1964, when she was just 18. Inspired by the ongoing #MeToo movement, her retrial began in Busan, where prosecutors acknowledged the state’s failure to protect her and requested the court to overturn her guilty verdict.
Choi expressed relief and hope for future generations, stating, "For 61 years, the state made me live as a criminal," underscoring the unnecessary burden she’s carried. Busan’s Chief Prosecutor Jeong Myeong-won addressed the court, articulating a heartfelt apology for the pain inflicted on Ms. Choi, a victim of a sex crime, emphasizing the need for justice and protection for such individuals.
A final ruling is anticipated on September 10th, with expectations among legal experts that the court will clear Ms. Choi's name. Following the hearing, she celebrated the day’s progress, proclaiming, “We won!” as she was embraced by supporters from various civic organizations.
The 1964 assault saw Choi attacked by a man who attempted rape, leading her to react in self-defense, which resulted in a more severe punishment for her than for her assailant who ultimately faced a minor charge of trespassing. Her case has since become a significant reference point in legal discussions regarding the recognition of self-defense in sexual violence cases in South Korea.
Choi's journey has garnered attention, especially post-2010s, when the #MeToo movement reignited conversations about women's rights and safety in the country. Initially, her petitions for a retrial were rejected, but a recent Supreme Court decision has allowed for her case to be reexamined, revealing a pivotal moment in the fight for justice.
Reflecting on the proceedings, she stated, "I still can't believe it... If the prosecution is admitting its mistake even now, then I believe justice is alive in this country," signaling a pivotal evolution in public and legal perceptions surrounding such crimes and self-defense in South Korea.
