By John Q. Hosedrinker 
In a landmark decision, a South Korean court overturned the 1965 conviction of Choi Mal-ja, who was found guilty of causing grievous bodily harm after biting off part of her attacker’s tongue during a sexual assault. The court ruled that her actions were justifiable self-defense, recognizing her attempt to escape the assault. This reversal comes after a retrial ordered by the Supreme Court, fueled by the #MeToo movement and Choi’s own determination to clear her name after six decades. The initial conviction stemmed from the aggressor receiving a lenient sentence for the assault while Choi was punished, sparking outrage and highlighting the challenges faced by victims of sexual violence.
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South Korean woman who bit off attacker’s tongue acquitted after 61 years: The story of Choi Mal-ja is, frankly, shocking. The events began in 1964 when, at the tender age of 19, she was brutally attacked in the southern town of Gimhae. The attacker, a 21-year-old man, pinned her down and forced his tongue into her mouth, even going so far as to block her nose, clearly intending to suffocate her. The horror of the situation is almost unimaginable.
South Korean woman who bit off attacker’s tongue acquitted after 61 years: Fast forward six decades, and Choi, now 79, finally saw justice. Initially, she was convicted of causing grievous bodily harm and handed a 10-month prison sentence, although this was suspended for two years. The fact that she was punished for defending herself is, in a word, appalling. Thankfully, the Busan district court overturned this decision. They ruled her actions were “justifiable self-defense” under South Korean law. It is impossible to imagine the emotional toll this has taken.
South Korean woman who bit off attacker’s tongue acquitted after 61 years: Her lawyers intend to seek compensation for the damages she suffered because of the conviction. The anticipation is that she receives every Jeon coming to her. The initial reaction is often one of shock, with some imagining she had spent the intervening six decades in prison. That’s a testament to the injustice of the original sentence, but thankfully, that’s not the case.
South Korean woman who bit off attacker’s tongue acquitted after 61 years: The confusion is understandable. The fact that Choi was charged for defending herself underscores how broken the system was at the time. It’s easy to get lost in the details, like whether she spent actual time in prison. A suspended sentence typically means no jail time if the person behaves. It’s also easy to get lost in some of the cultural and economic details, for example, the Jeon, which is worth a tiny fraction of a cent.
South Korean woman who bit off attacker’s tongue acquitted after 61 years: The context of the era matters. It’s easy to assume that the police were possibly corrupt and incompetent. The attack itself is horrific and must have been terrifying. The article highlights the image of the attacker’s tongue and the intention to suffocate as particularly disturbing. It’s a chilling example of the lengths to which an attacker will go.
South Korean woman who bit off attacker’s tongue acquitted after 61 years: The legal repercussions are a stark reminder of how victims of assault, even those who defend themselves, are sometimes treated. It’s a sad reality that victims of abuse and assault can sometimes end up serving longer sentences than their abusers. The attacker in this case received a mere six-month suspended sentence for trespassing and intimidation, and, most importantly, not attempted rape.
South Korean woman who bit off attacker’s tongue acquitted after 61 years: The story highlights a complex interplay of issues. On one hand, there’s the clear injustice of the original conviction. On the other hand, there are concerns surrounding the perception of feminism in South Korea. This is often unfairly painted due to the actions of some vocal groups.
South Korean woman who bit off attacker’s tongue acquitted after 61 years: The core of the matter is simple: Choi was defending her life. She was fighting for survival, a desperate act of self-preservation. Regardless of the details of the law, it is clear she did what she had to do. The fact that she had a criminal record for defending herself must have made life even harder for her. It’s been a long and arduous journey to get to where we are today.
South Korean woman who bit off attacker’s tongue acquitted after 61 years: The acquittal is a step towards acknowledging the immense difficulty that assault victims have been facing and continue to face. The story brings to light the importance of self-defense. She’s been fighting for justice for six decades and finally, she has it.