South Korean actor O Yeong-Su, 81, known for his role in the popular series "Squid Game," has been acquitted of sexual misconduct charges by a court in Suwon.
The charges, initially filed in 2022, alleged that Mr. O sexually assaulted a woman twice in 2017. The allegations specified that he hugged the woman and kissed her on the cheek against her will. The alleged incidents reportedly occurred while Mr. O was in a rural area for a theatre performance.
Legal Proceedings and Acquittal
The alleged victim first filed a complaint against Mr. O in 2021, but the case was closed in April of that year. The prosecution later reopened the investigation following a request from the victim.
Mr. O was initially found guilty in 2024 and received an eight-month suspended prison sentence, which he subsequently appealed.
On Tuesday, a court overturned the previous sentence, granting the appeal. The Suwon District Court, in a statement reported by local media, indicated "doubt" regarding whether Mr. O had committed the assault. The court cited the "possibility that the victim's memory has been distorted over time," and affirmed that "when there is doubt... the defendant must be given the benefit of the doubt." However, the statement also acknowledged the possibility that Mr. O committed assault, noting his prior apology to the victim.
Reactions to the Verdict
Following the court ruling, Mr. O expressed "gratitude to the court for its wise judgement."
The alleged victim released a statement through the women's rights organization Womenlink, stating that the verdict would not "invalidate the truth or erase the pain I have suffered," and pledged to "continue to speak the truth to the very end." Womenlink also criticized the ruling, expressing that they were "outraged by a ruling that once again conceals sexual violence in the theatre world." It remains unclear if the prosecution plans to appeal the acquittal.
Background on O Yeong-Su
Mr. O rose to international prominence after starring in "Squid Game," a Netflix dystopian drama. In 2022, he became the first South Korean actor to win a Golden Globe award for best supporting actor in a series for his performance in the show's first season.