Woman convicted for fighting off 'rapist' seeks retrial after 56 years

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By Jung Min-ho

A woman convicted 56 years ago for biting off a man's tongue as she fought against his "attempt to rape" will request a retrial this week.

According to Busan Women's Hot Line, a nonprofit women's rights group, Monday, Choi Mal-ja, 74, and her lawyers will file an application for retrial with Busan District Court Wednesday. She said she acted in self-defense and Korea's justice system at the time failed to recognize it.

On May 4 in 1964, Choi, then 18, was arrested after injuring a man, 21, surnamed Roh, who was allegedly trying to rape her on a street. The next year, she was given a suspended prison sentence. She was devastated.

During an investigation, she maintained her innocence and said she clearly acted in self-defense against the man, who was forcing his tongue in her mouth. But prosecutors rejected her claim, and charged him with blackmail among other offenses, but not rape.

Speaking to the Hankyoreh, a local daily, Choi said she was detained for six months before the ruling and her father even paid Roh settlement money for a lighter sentence.

She said it was a painful trial, in which she was forced to answer insensitive questions such as "Did you have feelings for him?" and "Would you consider marrying him?"

The #MeToo campaign, a global movement against sexual harassment and sexual assault of women, last year prompted her, albeit late, to seek justice, she added.

Her lawyers will hold a press conference in front of Busan District Court Wednesday.

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