Latest news with #ChoiMal-ja
Kuwait Times
6 days ago
- Kuwait Times
Retrial opens for South Korean woman who bit off rapist's tongue
BUSAN: Choi Mal-ja (center), who was convicted 61 years ago for biting off the tongue of her attempted rapist, reacts after her retrial hearing at the Busan District Court in Busan on July 23, 2025. -- AFP SEOUL: A South Korean court reopened a decades-old case on Wednesday after the country's #MeToo movement inspired a woman to challenge her conviction for defending herself against sexual violence 61 years ago. Choi Mal-ja was 19 when she was attacked by a 21-year-old man in the southern town of Gimhae in 1964. Choi managed to bite off about 1.5 centimeters (0.6 inches) of the assailant's tongue. In one of South Korea's most contentious rulings on sexual violence, the aggressor received only six months in prison, suspended for two years, for trespassing and intimidation — but not attempted rape. But Choi was convicted of causing grievous bodily harm and handed a 10-month prison sentence, suspended for two years. The court said at the time her action had 'exceeded the reasonable bounds of legally permissible self-defense'. Choi's case gained renewed momentum decades later after #MeToo movement, which took off globally in 2017 and inspired her to seek justice. In South Korea, massive women's rights protests led to victories on issues ranging from abortion access to tougher penalties for spycam crimes. Choi filed for a retrial in 2020, but lower courts initially rejected her petition. After years of campaigning and an appeal, South Korea's top court finally ordered a retrial in 2024. 'For 61 years, the state made me live as a criminal,' Choi told reporters outside the Busan District Court ahead of Wednesday's retrial hearing. She said she hoped future generations could 'live in a world free from sexual violence where they can enjoy human rights and a happy life'. Choi Sun-hye, executive director of the Korea Women's Hotline counseling centre, which supported her case, told AFP that her decision was also meant to 'become a source of strength for other victims of sexual violence and correct past wrongs'. At the retrial hearing on Wednesday, the prosecution asked the court to clear her of the past conviction, the Busan District Court told AFP. The verdict is expected in September this year. – AFP
RTÉ News
6 days ago
- RTÉ News
Retrial opens for South Korean woman who bit off attempted rapist's tongue
A South Korean court has reopened a decades-old case after the country's #MeToo movement inspired a woman to challenge her conviction for defending herself against sexual violence 61 years ago. Choi Mal-ja was 19 when she was attacked by a 21-year-old man in the southern town of Gimhae in 1964. He pinned her to the ground and forced his tongue into her mouth, court records showed. Choi managed to break free by biting off about 1.5 centimetres of his tongue. In one of South Korea's most contentious rulings on sexual violence, the aggressor received only six months in prison, suspended for two years, for trespassing and intimidation - but not attempted rape. But Choi was convicted of causing grievous bodily harm and handed a 10-month prison sentence, suspended for two years. The court said at the time her action had "exceeded the reasonable bounds of legally permissible self-defence". Choi's case gained renewed momentum decades later after #MeToo movement, which took off globally in 2017 and inspired her to seek justice. In South Korea, massive women's rights protests led to victories on issues ranging from abortion access to tougher penalties for spycam crimes. Choi filed for a retrial in 2020, but lower courts initially rejected her petition. After years of campaigning and an appeal, South Korea's top court finally ordered a retrial in 2024. "For 61 years, the state made me live as a criminal," Choi told reporters outside the Busan District Court ahead of her retrial hearing. She said she hoped future generations could "live in a world free from sexual violence where they can enjoy human rights and a happy life". Choi Sun-hye, executive director of the Korea Women's Hotline counselling centre, which supported her case, said her decision was also meant to "become a source of strength for other victims of sexual violence and correct past wrongs". At the retrial hearing, the prosecution asked the court to clear her of the past conviction, the Busan District Court said. The verdict is expected in September this year.
The Star
6 days ago
- The Star
Retrial opens for S. Korean woman who bit off attempted rapist's tongue
Choi Mal-ja was 19 when she was attacked by a 21-year-old man in the southern town of Gimhae in 1964. - The Korea Herald/ANN SEOUL: A South Korean court reopened a decades-old case on Wednesday (July 23) after the country's #MeToo movement inspired a woman to challenge her conviction for defending herself against sexual violence 61 years ago. Choi Mal-ja was 19 when she was attacked by a 21-year-old man in the southern town of Gimhae in 1964. He pinned her to the ground and forced his tongue into her mouth, court records showed. Choi managed to break free by biting off about 1.5 centimetres (0.6 inches) of his tongue. In one of South Korea's most contentious rulings on sexual violence, the aggressor received only six months in prison, suspended for two years, for trespassing and intimidation -- but not attempted rape. But Choi was convicted of causing grievous bodily harm and handed a 10-month prison sentence, suspended for two years. The court said at the time her action had "exceeded the reasonable bounds of legally permissible self-defence". Choi's case gained renewed momentum decades later after #MeToo movement, which took off globally in 2017 and inspired her to seek justice. In South Korea, massive women's rights protests led to victories on issues ranging from abortion access to tougher penalties for spycam crimes. Choi filed for a retrial in 2020, but lower courts initially rejected her petition. After years of campaigning and an appeal, South Korea's top court finally ordered a retrial in 2024. "For 61 years, the state made me live as a criminal," Choi told reporters outside the Busan District Court ahead of Wednesday's retrial hearing. She said she hoped future generations could "live in a world free from sexual violence where they can enjoy human rights and a happy life". Choi Sun-hye, executive director of the Korea Women's Hotline counselling centre, which supported her case, told AFP that her decision was also meant to "become a source of strength for other victims of sexual violence and correct past wrongs". At the retrial hearing on Wednesday, the prosecution asked the court to clear her of the past conviction, the Busan District Court told AFP. The verdict is expected in September this year. - AFP
Korea Herald
6 days ago
- Korea Herald
Prosecutors ask for acquittal of woman convicted of biting off attacker's tongue
Prosecution admits fault and apologizes in retrial of 1965 case that punished self-defense during sexual assault attempt South Korean prosecutors on Wednesday asked the court to acquit a 78-year-old woman in her retrial, 60 years after she was convicted for biting off the tongue of a man who tried to rape her. Admitting to wrongful prosecution, the prosecutors offered an official apology to Choi Mal-ja. In 1964, then 18-year-old Choi was subject to sexual attack by a 21-year-old man, surnamed Noh, and she bit off his tongue while defending herself. She was criminally charged and the Busan District Court sentenced her to 10 months in prison, suspended for two years, for aggravated bodily injury; her claim of self-defense was dismissed. Her attacker, while not convicted of a sex crime, received six months in prison, suspended for one year, for trespassing and threat with a weapon. "The prosecution has concluded that the actions (by Choi) are justifiable as a sex crime victim, and that they are not illegal," the prosecution said at the hearing for the retrial held at the Busan District Court, demanding the court declare Choi innocent. The prosecutors said their predecessors failed to protect Choi as a victim from not only the crime, but also from the social prejudice and secondary damage inflicted after she was convicted. The prosecution in the past case had requested a prison term for Choi in October of 1964, before the ruling the following year. "The prosecution in the past case failed to do its duty and went the wrong way. As a result, (the prosecution in the past) inflicted unimaginable pain and suffering on Choi Mal-ja. For this, we apologize," the prosecution said at the hearing. Choi Mal-ja's case is considered among the worst miscarriages of justice involving a sex crime in Korea, where her attempt to protect herself was wrongfully labeled an act of brutality. In the trial, she was accused by the prosecutors of crippling the man — despite him not sustaining a permanent disability — and the court allegedly attempted to persuade her to marry her attacker. The litigation and settlement with Noh for the injuries led to a substantial financial burden on the family, and Noh continued to harass her family even throughout the trials. She was also subject to the social stigma of having a criminal record. In 2020, Choi requested a retrial in the Busan court, which was rejected the following year. The court said, "There is no clear evidence to prove her innocence, and we cannot overrule a verdict just because the social, cultural backgrounds have changed." But Choi continued to pursue the case, appealing to the Supreme Court in May of 2023. In June that year, in an interview with The Korea Herald, she said, "The court made me — the victim — the attacker. I knew nothing about the law, but I knew that I had been wronged." South Korea's highest court sided with her in December, ordering the case to be redeliberated.
Straits Times
6 days ago
- Straits Times
Retrial opens for S. Korean woman who bit off man's tongue in rape attempt
Find out what's new on ST website and app. Choi Mal-ja was 19 when she was attacked by a 21-year-old man in the southern town of Gimhae in 1964. SEOUL - A South Korean court reopened a decades-old case on July 23 after the country's #MeToo movement inspired a woman to challenge her conviction for defending herself against sexual violence 61 years ago. Choi Mal-ja was 19 when she was attacked by a 21-year-old man in the southern town of Gimhae in 1964. He pinned her to the ground and forced his tongue into her mouth, court records showed. Choi managed to break free by biting off about 1.5 centimetres of his tongue. In one of South Korea's most contentious rulings on sexual violence, the aggressor received only six months in prison, suspended for two years, for trespassing and intimidation – but not attempted rape. But Choi was convicted of causing grievous bodily harm and handed a 10-month prison sentence, suspended for two years. The court said at the time her action had 'exceeded the reasonable bounds of legally permissible self-defence'. Choi's case gained renewed momentum decades later after #MeToo movement, which took off globally in 2017 and inspired her to seek justice. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore Singapore's domestic recycling rate drops to all-time low of 11% Singapore HDB launches 10,209 BTO and balance flats, as priority scheme for singles kicks in Singapore Local buyers are key to recovery of prime district condo market Singapore New online channel for public to report illegal ride-hailing services Singapore Ex-Tanjong Pagar United footballer charged with assault after Singapore Premier League match in Feb Business Singapore core inflation stays unchanged in June but uncertainties to outlook remain high Life The Projector will resume daily screenings at Golden Mile Tower. Is it exiting Cineleisure next? Singapore Youth Courts will take a new approach to cases, focused on underlying issues and supporting needs In South Korea, massive women's rights protests led to victories on issues ranging from abortion access to tougher penalties for spycam crimes. Choi filed for a retrial in 2020, but lower courts initially rejected her petition. After years of campaigning and an appeal, South Korea's top court finally ordered a retrial in 2024. 'For 61 years, the state made me live as a criminal,' Choi told reporters outside the Busan District Court ahead of July 23's retrial hearing. She said she hoped future generations could 'live in a world free from sexual violence where they can enjoy human rights and a happy life'. Executive director Choi Sun-hye of the Korea Women's Hotline counselling centre, which supported her case, told AFP that her decision was also meant to 'become a source of strength for other victims of sexual violence and correct past wrongs'. At the retrial hearing on July 23, the prosecution asked the court to clear her of the past conviction, the Busan District Court told AFP. The verdict is expected in September 2025. AFP
