Justice for Choi Mal-ja: A 61-Year Fight for Self-Defense Recognition

Choi Mal-ja, a 79-year-old South Korean woman, has been acquitted of aggravated bodily injury after biting off part of her attacker’s tongue during an alleged attempted rape in 1964. The Busan District Court overturned her 1965 conviction, which had resulted in a 10-month suspended prison sentence, ruling that her actions were justified as self-defense. At the time of the incident, Choi was 18 years old and was attacked by a 21-year-old man in Gimhae, who attempted to suffocate her while forcing his tongue into her mouth. Choi managed to escape by biting off half an inch of his tongue.

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Choi's attacker was not convicted of attempted rape but received a suspended sentence for trespassing and blackmail. For decades, Choi lived with the stigma of her conviction, which was influenced by the patriarchal biases prevalent in South Korean society. Inspired by the #MeToo movement, Choi sought justice and filed a petition for retrial, which was initially rejected by lower courts. However, in 2024, the Supreme Court of South Korea agreed to a retrial, acknowledging the systemic biases that had compromised her right to legal justice.

Justice For Woman Who Bit Off Attacker’s Tongue And Was Branded A Criminal For Decades

During the retrial, prosecutors apologized to Choi for the "immeasurable pain and suffering" caused by the original ruling. Choi expressed her desire to be a source of hope for other victims, stating, “For the victims who shared the same fate as mine, I wanted to be a source of hope for them.” The Korea Women’s Hotline, which supported Choi throughout her legal battle, welcomed the verdict, asserting that it would help legitimize women's defensive actions in similar situations.

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Despite the positive outcome for Choi, critics argue that the case highlights ongoing issues of gender bias within the South Korean legal system. The original conviction and the subsequent struggle for justice reflect a broader societal problem where women's rights and experiences are often marginalized.

Justice For Woman Who Bit Off Attacker’s Tongue And Was Branded A Criminal For Decades

• “Sixty-one years ago, in a situation where I could understand nothing, the victim became the perpetrator and my fate was sealed as a criminal,” — Choi Mal-ja

Justice For Woman Who Bit Off Attacker’s Tongue And Was Branded A Criminal For Decades

• “Going forward, women’s defensive acts will be understood as legitimate.” — Song Ran-hee, Korea Women’s Hotline

Justice For Woman Who Bit Off Attacker’s Tongue And Was Branded A Criminal For Decades

Choi's legal team plans to seek compensation and file a civil lawsuit against the state for the suffering she endured over the past six decades. This case not only marks a significant personal victory for Choi but also serves as a potential catalyst for broader legal reforms regarding self-defense and women's rights in South Korea.

Justice For Woman Who Bit Off Attacker’s Tongue And Was Branded A Criminal For Decades