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

A South Korean court has acquitted a 78-year-old woman, overturning a decades-old conviction in which she was found guilty of biting off part of a man's tongue during a sexual assault.

A South Korean court has acquitted a 78-year-old woman, overturning a decades-old conviction in which she was found guilty of biting off part of a man's tongue during a sexual assault.

In May 1964, Choi Mal-ja, then 18, was attacked by a 21-year-old man in Gimhae, South Korea, during which he pinned her down and forced his tongue into her mouth, leading her to bite off about 1.5 centimeters of his tongue to escape.

In May 1964, Choi Mal-ja, then 18, was attacked by a 21-year-old man in Gimhae, South Korea, during which he pinned her down and forced his tongue into her mouth, leading her to bite off about 1.5 centimeters of his tongue to escape.

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

Following the incident, Choi was arrested and charged with causing grievous bodily harm. Meanwhile, the attacker 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.

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.

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

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

A South Korean <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.verity.news/story/2025/s-korea-reopens-yearold-sexual-assault-selfdefense-case">court reopened her case in July</a>. On Wednesday, 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.

A South Korean court reopened her case in July. On Wednesday, 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.

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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.

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

Crime & justice

South Korea

Choi's acquittal finally brings justice after six decades and shows that courts are now recognizing the right of victims to defend themselves against sexual assault. This verdict might inspire others to seek justice and challenge outdated societal biases.

Choi's acquittal finally brings justice after six decades and shows that courts are now recognizing the right of victims to defend themselves against sexual assault. This verdict might inspire others to seek justice and challenge outdated societal biases.

South Korean Woman Acquitted in 1964 Self-Defense Case

South Korean Woman Acquitted in 1964 Self-Defense Case

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South Korean Woman Acquitted in 1964 Self-Defense Case

South Korean Woman Acquitted in 1964 Self-Defense Case

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