Prosecutors in South Korea have apologised to a woman who was convicted for defending herself during a sexually violent attack more than 60 years ago.

Choi Mal-ja was sentenced to 10 months in prison, suspended for two years, for biting off part of her attacker's tongue as he allegedly tried to rape her in 1964, when she was 18 years old.

Inspired by the country's #MeToo movement, MsChoi, now 78, has campaigned for years to have her conviction overturned.

Her retrial began in the city of Busan on Wednesday, where prosecutors issued an apology and asked for the court to quash her guilty verdict.

"For 61 years, the state made me live as a criminal," Ms Choi told reporters outside the court ahead of the hearing.

She said she hoped future generations could live a happy life free from sexual violence.

At the start of the trial, Busan's Chief Prosecutor Jeong Myeong-won said "we sincerely apologise".

"We have caused Choi Mal-ja, a victim of a sex crime who should have been protected as one, indescribable pain and agony."

A final ruling is scheduled for 10 September, with legal observers expecting the court to overturn Ms Choi's conviction.

Outside the courtroom after the hearing, Ms Choi raised her fist and said: "We won!"

She celebrated by embracing campaigners from civic organisations who were there to support her.