A South Korean woman who spent 61 years branded a criminal for defending herself against a rapist has finally been vindicated, exposing decades of judicial failure that punished victims while protecting predators.
Story Highlights
- Choi Mal-ja acquitted after 61 years for biting attacker’s tongue during 1964 attempted rape
- Originally convicted of aggravated bodily injury while her attacker received lighter sentence
- Prosecutors publicly apologized and requested acquittal in landmark retrial
- Case sets precedent for broader self-defense rights in sexual assault cases
Decades-Long Fight for Justice
Choi Mal-ja was just 18 years old when she fought off her attacker on May 6, 1964, in Gimhae, South Gyeongsang Province. During the attempted rape, she bit off 1.5 centimeters of the perpetrator’s tongue and escaped. Instead of being celebrated as a survivor who protected herself, the legal system criminalized her actions. She received a 10-month prison sentence suspended for two years on charges of aggravated bodily injury, while her attacker faced only lighter penalties for trespassing and blackmail.
Legal System Reverses Course
The Busan District Court delivered its acquittal on September 10, 2025, finally recognizing Choi’s actions as legitimate self-defense. Prosecutors, who originally pursued her conviction, made an unprecedented public apology for the suffering they inflicted. The court’s decision came after years of legal battles, with Choi filing for retrial in 2020 and the Supreme Court agreeing to hear the case in 2023. This reversal demonstrates how far South Korea’s understanding of sexual violence and victim rights has evolved.
Broader Implications for Self-Defense Rights
Attorney Lee Gu-young, who led Choi’s legal team, emphasized that growing recognition of sexual autonomy played a crucial role in the retrial. The case establishes important legal precedent that may lead to broader interpretation of justifiable grounds for self-defense in court. This development strengthens protections for future victims who defend themselves against sexual predators, ensuring they won’t face the same injustice Choi endured for over six decades.
Victory for Traditional Values
Choi’s vindication represents more than personal justice—it affirms the fundamental right to self-defense that conservatives have long championed. Her statement that she wanted to be hope for victims who shared her fate reflects the traditional values of standing up for the innocent and protecting the vulnerable. This case demonstrates how persistence and moral clarity can eventually overcome institutional failures, providing a model for others fighting against unjust government overreach and judicial misconduct.
Sources:
Woman vindicated 61 years later for resisting rapist
Convicted for biting off tongue of attempted rapist, Choi Mal-ja is acquitted 60 years after
South Korean woman acquitted after 61 years for biting attacker’s tongue
Woman who bit off rapist’s tongue in 1964 acquitted 61 years later
