Important Update: Prosecutors Apologize to South Korean Woman for Past Conviction
Choi Mal-ja, now 80 years old, has received a formal apology from South Korean prosecutors for her wrongful conviction over a self-defense incident that occurred in 1964.
At the young age of 18, Choi was attacked by a 21-year-old man in Busan, who attempted to rape her. In a moment of desperation, she bit his tongue, an act that led to her being convicted of aggravated bodily injury and sentenced to 10 months in prison. Meanwhile, her attacker faced only minor charges of trespassing and intimidation, with all rape accusations against him dropped.
During a retrial on July 23, senior prosecutor Jeong Myeong-won admitted, “The prosecution failed in its role and went in the opposite direction.” He expressed deep regret for the suffering Choi endured, stating that she should have received protection as a victim of sexual violence.
Inspired by the #MeToo movement, Choi has devoted years to overturning her conviction. After initially petitioning for a retrial in 2020, she faced rejection. However, in a significant turn of events, the South Korean Supreme Court approved her request three years later.
Choi’s retrial is ongoing, and prosecutors are advocating for her conviction to be overturned. Outside the courtroom, she emotionally declared, “For 61 years, the state made me live as a criminal,” celebrating her supporters with a raised fist, proclaiming, “We won!”
Choi expressed hope, saying, “If the prosecution is admitting its mistake even now, then I believe justice is alive in this country.” A final decision on her case is expected on September 10, with optimism that the court will clear her name.
