61 Years Later, Grandmother Choi Mal-ja Declared Innocent in Landmark Retrial Featured on 'The Story of a Story'

SBS's 'The Story of a Story' (꼬리에 꼬리를 무는 그날 이야기) delivered a deeply moving episode, chronicling the courageous 61-year struggle of Grandmother Choi Mal-ja. The broadcast shed light on a shocking case from the 1960s, initially labeled the 'Tongue Severing Incident,' where she, as an 18-year-old, was unjustly accused of assault after resisting a sexual advance.

The episode detailed how Choi Mal-ja met Yoon Hyang-hee in 2013, rekindling her passion for learning and ultimately motivating her to confront her past trauma. In 1946, at the age of 18, Choi was accosted by a stranger she had just met. After she fought back, the man claimed she had severed his tongue and demanded compensation. Despite her family filing a complaint for attempted rape, Choi was instead indicted for aggravated assault.

During the 1964 trial, Choi faced further indignities, including pressure to marry her attacker and invasive examinations. She was ultimately sentenced to 10 months in prison, suspended for two years, while her assailant received a lighter sentence of 6 months, suspended for two years, for charges including home invasion and intimidation. Her defense of self-defense was not recognized.

This wrongful conviction cast a long shadow over her life, impacting her marriage and career. In 2018, with the support of the Korean Women's Hotline, she began the arduous process of seeking a retrial. A key finding in the original ruling was the perplexing statement that she had 'provoked' the kiss.

The retrial was fraught with challenges, but Choi's unwavering testimony and newly uncovered evidence, including records of her assailant's military service which contradicted claims of permanent disability, paved the way. After initial setbacks, her appeal reached the Supreme Court, garnering widespread support. In 2025, during the first retrial hearing, the prosecution acknowledged past errors and recommended an acquittal.

Finally, in 2024, the Supreme Court overturned the original verdict, remanding the case. On September 10, 2025, the final verdict declared her innocent, overturning the injustice of 61 years. Choi expressed her hope that Korean law would ensure a future free from sexual violence for generations to come. The broadcast resonated deeply with viewers, sparking widespread praise for her resilience and the pursuit of justice.

Grandmother Choi Mal-ja endured decades of hardship after being wrongly accused, spending her life fighting for the truth. Her unwavering determination to clear her name over 61 years has become a powerful symbol for victims of sexual violence. Her resilience serves as an inspiration for a more just society.