Independent

Woman who bit off attackers tongue acquitted after 61 years

The New York Times

South Korean Woman Cleared Decades After Biting Attackers Tongue During Attempted Rape

Guardian

South Korean woman who bit off attackers tongue acquitted after 61 years

The Chosun Daily

Choi Mal-ja acquitted after 61 years in self-defense case

Korea Herald

61 years too late: Retrial clears woman who bit tongue of man who tried to rape her

The Straits Times

South Korea overturns 60-year ruling on woman who bit off mans tongue in self-defence

The Korea Times

Woman vindicated 61 years later for resisting rapist

Fox 28 Spokane

South Korea overturns 60-year ruling on womans self-defence case

BBC News

South Korean woman who bit off attacker's tongue acquitted after 61 years

ChosunBiz

Prosecution argues for Choi Mal-ja's acquittal in historic self-defense case

Following the incident, Choi was arrested and charged with causing grievous bodily harm, while the attacker only received a suspended six-month sentence for trespassing and intimidation, with no conviction for attempted rape.</span

Following the incident, Choi was arrested and charged with causing grievous bodily harm, while the attacker only received a suspended six-month sentence for trespassing and intimidation, with no conviction for attempted rape.

During her original trial in 1965, court authorities required Choi to undergo a public virginity test and faced suggestions from investigators that she should marry her attacker, reflecting the era’s societal and legal biases.</span

During her original trial in 1965, court authorities required Choi to undergo a public virginity test and faced suggestions from investigators that she should marry her attacker, reflecting the era’s societal and legal biases.

Inspired by the #MeToo movement, Choi filed for a retrial in 2020, but her petitions were initially dismissed by lower courts until the Supreme Court intervened in December 2023, finding that the original trial was tainted by bias and procedural injustice.</span

Inspired by the #MeToo movement, Choi filed for a retrial in 2020, but her petitions were initially dismissed by lower courts until the Supreme Court intervened in December 2023, finding that the original trial was tainted by bias and procedural injustice.

On Sept. 10, 2024, the Busan District Court acquitted Choi and recognized her actions as justified self-defense to protect her bodily integrity and sexual self-determination, overturning her decades-old conviction.</span

On Sept. 10, 2024, the Busan District Court acquitted Choi and recognized her actions as justified self-defense to protect her bodily integrity and sexual self-determination, overturning her decades-old conviction.

During the retrial, prosecutors acknowledged past failures and apologized publicly to Choi for the harm and secondary victimization she suffered due to the judicial system's response at the time.</span

During the retrial, prosecutors acknowledged past failures and apologized publicly to Choi for the harm and secondary victimization she suffered due to the judicial system's response at the time.

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Woman who bit off attacker’s tongue acquitted after 61 years

Crime & justice

South Korea

Even with the acquittal, the case exposes persistent gaps in legal protection for victims of sexual violence, as many still fear retaliation or being treated as criminals for fighting back, signaling the system's need for deeper reform.

Even with the acquittal, the case exposes persistent gaps in legal protection for victims of sexual violence, as many still fear retaliation or being treated as criminals for fighting back, signaling the system's need for deeper reform.

South Korean Woman Acquitted in 1964 Self-Defense Case

South Korean Woman Acquitted in 1964 Self-Defense Case

WomanSouth whoKorean bitWoman offAcquitted attacker’sin tongue1964 acquittedSelf-Defense after 61 yearsCase

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South Korean Woman Acquitted in 1964 Self-Defense Case

WomanSouth whoKorean bitWoman offAcquitted attacker’sin tongue1964 acquittedSelf-Defense after 61 yearsCase

The Spin

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