A 61-Year Fight for Justice: 'Cuts' Recounts Grandmother Choi Mal-ja's Triumph Over Unjust Conviction

SBS's 'Stories That Connect' (꼬리에 꼬리를 무는 그날 이야기, hereafter 'Cuts') will spotlight the courageous struggle of Grandmother Choi Mal-ja, a victim of sexual assault who achieved acquittal through a retrial 61 years later.

The 193rd episode, airing on the 18th, titled 'Grandmother Choi Mal-ja's Retrial,' will delve into the retrial process for Grandmother Choi. In 1964, at the age of 18, she resisted a heinous assault, only to be unjustly convicted of grievous bodily harm.

Notably, 'Cuts' is the only program to have accompanied Grandmother Choi throughout her trial, capturing the historic moments leading up to her acquittal on September 10th. Singer Wendy, actor Kim Nam-hee, and announcer Park Sun-young will join as story guests, empathizing with Grandmother Choi's pain and bravery.

The incident dates back to a village in Gyeongnam Province in 1964. Grandmother Choi fought back against a perpetrator's sexual assault by biting his tongue. However, she was countersued for grievous bodily harm. At the time, self-defense was not recognized, and she received an unfair sentence of 10 months in prison with a two-year suspension of sentence.

The original court document included shocking statements such as, 'It likely contributed to inciting the impulse for the kiss,' infuriating viewers. The fact that the judge asked Grandmother Choi questions during the trial like, 'Don't you intend to marry the young man who assaulted you?' and 'Weren't you interested in him from the start?' further compounded the tragedy.

Grandmother Choi bravely applied for a retrial 56 years later, but her initial request was dismissed. After repeated appeals, 61 years after the incident, the prosecution requested an acquittal for Grandmother Choi. With her cry of 'I won!', the final acquittal was confirmed on September 10th, marking a significant victory that overturned a prominent case where self-defense was denied, and finally recognized it after six decades.

'Cuts' uniquely accompanied her on this entire moving journey, which will be revealed through this broadcast. Wendy was reportedly moved to tears, exclaiming, 'I was choked up,' by Grandmother Choi's story. More behind-the-scenes details of Grandmother Choi's historic journey await in this week's 'Cuts.'

Grandmother Choi Mal-ja was a courageous woman who fought back against a horrific incident at the age of 18. She relentlessly worked to clear her name for 61 years, and finally achieved acquittal through a retrial. Her struggle sends a crucial message about justice and women's rights.