In a landmark ruling that has reverberated across South Korea, 79-year-old Choi Mal-ja was acquitted Wednesday of a conviction that had haunted her for over six decades. The Busan District Court declared her actions in 1964—biting off part of her rapist’s tongue to escape his assault—a lawful act of self-defence.
The original incident occurred in May 1964, when Choi, then 18, was attacked by a 21-year-old man identified only as Roh in the southern town of Gimhae. Roh pinned her to the ground, blocked her nose, and forced his tongue into her mouth. In a desperate bid to survive, Choi bit off approximately 1.5 cm (0.6 inches) of his tongue.
Seventeen days later, Roh broke into Choi’s home and threatened her father with a knife. He later sued Choi for grievous bodily harm. In a deeply flawed trial, Choi was sentenced to 10 months in prison, suspended for two years, while Roh received a mere six-month suspended sentence for trespassing and intimidation.
The retrial, held in July, marked a dramatic reversal. Prosecutors apologized for the original miscarriage of justice and acknowledged the “immeasurable pain and suffering” Choi endured.
The court ruled that her actions were a proportionate response to “an unjust infringement on her bodily integrity and sexual self-determination”.
Outside the courtroom, Choi—dressed in a bright pink blazer—was met with cheers and bouquets. “I, Choi Mal-ja, am finally innocent!” she declared, as supporters waved placards reading “Choi Mal-ja did it!” and “Choi Mal-ja succeeded”.
Choi’s fight for justice began in earnest in 2018, inspired by South Korea’s #MeToo movement. Her case became a rallying cry for reform in how sexual violence is prosecuted.
In her original trial, her testimony was doubted, and the presiding judge even suggested she marry her attacker—a chilling reflection of the era’s attitudes.
Legal experts and women’s rights advocates have hailed the ruling as a watershed moment. “Going forward, women’s defensive acts will be understood as legitimate,” said Song Ran-hee, head of the Korea Women’s Hotline.
Choi’s lawyers now plan to seek compensation from the state for the decades of injustice she endured.
