In a landmark case of justice being finally served, a South Korean woman, Choi Mal-ja, has been acquitted after more than six decades of being wrongly convicted for defending herself against a sexual assault. Now 79 years old, Choi was just 18 when she was attacked in 1964 by a 21-year-old man who attempted to rape her in Busan, South Korea. During the assault, Choi fought back and managed to escape by biting off a part of her assailant’s tongue. This act of self-defense led to a long legal battle that has now ended in her favour.
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Choi’s ordeal did not end with the assault. Two weeks later, the attacker and his friends threatened her at her home, leading to a series of events that unfairly resulted in her being convicted in 1965 for aggravated bodily injury. While her attacker received a lenient sentence for trespassing and intimidation, Choi was sentenced to 10 months in prison. This unjust conviction haunted her for over six decades, marking her as a criminal in the eyes of the law.
Inspired by the global #MeToo movement, Choi began her quest to overturn the wrongful conviction. After facing initial rejections, her perseverance paid off when the Supreme Court finally granted her a retrial in 2025. This retrial led to a historical moment in the Busan district court, where Choi was declared innocent, with her actions of self-defense being recognised as justified. The court’s decision brought an end to 61 years of living under the shadow of a wrongful conviction.
Speaking outside the court after the acquittal, Choi expressed her relief and determination, stating, “For 61 years, the state made me live as a criminal.” She also acknowledged the support she received and her desire to be a beacon of hope for other victims who have faced similar injustices. Prosecutors, in a rare move, publicly apologised to Choi during the retrial, acknowledging the grave mistake in her conviction and advocating for the overturning of the guilty verdict.
Choi’s legal victory serves as a significant milestone in the fight for justice for victims of sexual assault and wrongful convictions. Her courageous fight against a system that failed her for decades highlights the importance of standing up against injustice, no matter how long the battle may take. The overturning of her conviction not only brings closure to Choi’s long-standing ordeal but also sets a precedent for addressing similar cases and providing redress for past wrongs.
As Choi looks towards the future, her lawyers are seeking compensation from the state for the damages she endured due to the wrongful conviction. Her story resonates far beyond the borders of South Korea, shedding light on the systemic flaws in legal systems that sometimes victimise survivors instead of providing them with the protection and support they deserve. Choi’s journey towards justice serves as a reminder of the resilience and determination of survivors, and the importance of holding systems accountable for their failures.
In a world where victims of sexual assault often face disbelief, victim-blaming, and injustice, Choi’s story stands as a testament to the power of perseverance and the pursuit of truth and justice. Her long-awaited vindication not only brings a sense of closure to her own painful past but also ignites hope for a more just and compassionate future, where survivors are believed, supported, and empowered to seek the justice they rightfully deserve.