The article discusses the case of Choi Mal-ja, a woman who, in 1964 at the age of 18, fought off an attempted rape and subsequently faced legal repercussions instead of support. After biting her assailant’s tongue, Choi was charged with severe physical harm and received a harsher sentence than her attacker, illustrating the deeply entrenched patriarchal norms in South Korea at the time.
Choi has been advocating for a retrial to clear her name, and, after her initial request was rejected, she brought her case to the Supreme Court, which ruled in her favor. This ruling could potentially reshape legal precedents around self-defense and sexual violence in Korea. The article emphasizes the broader context of women’s rights in South Korea, noting how societal attitudes towards victims of sexual violence have evolved, especially with the influence of movements like #MeToo.
It details Choi’s struggle, from the initial violent assault in 1964, the inadequate legal response, and her years of advocacy culminating in the Supreme Court’s favorable decision. The article highlights the challenges women still face in gaining recognition for their rights and calls for societal change to support victims of sexual violence. Choi’s case represents a significant potential turning point for the legal treatment of self-defense claims in sexual assault cases.
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