Sat Feb 15 10:42:29 UTC 2025: ## South Korean Court Orders Retrial for Woman Convicted for Defending Herself Against Rape in 1965

**Busan, South Korea** – A South Korean court has overturned the 1965 conviction of Choi Mal-ja, now 78, who was sentenced for defending herself against a sexual assault. The Busan High Court’s decision grants Choi a retrial, reigniting a national conversation about justice for victims of sexual violence.

In 1964, at the age of 18, Choi was attacked near her home. She bit off a portion of her assailant’s tongue in self-defense, ending the attack. Despite her claims of self-defense, she was convicted of aggravated bodily harm and given a suspended 10-month prison sentence. Her attacker received a similarly suspended six-month sentence.

Choi alleges she was pressured into accepting the plea, fearing a life sentence. She further reports that her family was forced to pay a settlement to her attacker, who continued to harass them, even breaking into their home and threatening them with a knife.

Choi’s fight for justice began in earnest in the 2000s, after pursuing higher education and recognizing the injustice of her original conviction. With the support of a women’s rights group, she repeatedly sought a retrial, facing initial rejections due to perceived insufficient evidence. The Supreme Court ultimately intervened, directing the Busan High Court to review the case.

The Busan High Court cited Choi’s consistent testimony and concerns surrounding her potentially unlawful detention during the initial investigation, violating the country’s Criminal Procedure Act. The court stated there were “enough grounds to believe that there had been unlawful arrest and detention without warrant.”

This landmark ruling has sparked renewed debate in South Korea about the treatment of sexual assault survivors and the need for legal reform to ensure fair and equitable justice. The retrial is expected to receive significant attention as it sheds light on the historical injustices faced by victims of sexual violence.

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