South Korean Woman Acquitted After 61 Years for Biting Off Attacker’s Tongue
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.
John Q. Hosedrinker