O Yeong-Su, the acclaimed actor known for his role in the hit series 'Squid Game', has been acquitted of charges related to sexual misconduct by a South Korean court. The case originated in 2022, when the 81-year-old actor was charged with assaulting a woman by hugging her and kissing her on the cheek without consent.
Initially found guilty in 2024, O Yeong-Su was sentenced to an eight-month suspended prison term. However, he appealed the ruling, and on Tuesday, the court acknowledged that both sides raised significant doubts regarding the allegations involved. The ruling highlighted that O Yeong-Su had participated in sexual violence prevention classes, and that the victim's memory of the incident — which occurred in 2017 during a theater performance — may have been unreliable due to the time elapsed.
The alleged victim filed a complaint against O Yeong-Su in 2021, but the case was briefly closed before being reopened at her request. The Suwon District Court ultimately suggested that uncertainty around O's actions warranted the presumption of innocence.
Nevertheless, the court's findings prompted criticism from women’s advocacy groups. The alleged victim expressed her disappointment over the ruling, declaring that it would not diminish her truth and resolved to continue fighting for justice.
Women's rights organization Womenlink voiced their outrage, asserting that the ruling perpetuated a culture of silence surrounding sexual violence in the arts. It's uncertain if the prosecution will pursue further legal action against the actor.
In the wake of the court's decision, O Yeong-Su publicly expressed gratitude for the ruling, while also reflecting on the impact of the case on his life.
O rose to international fame as part of 'Squid Game', a Netflix series that captivated audiences worldwide. His performance in the series earned him accolades, including the title of the first South Korean actor to receive a Golden Globe award for best supporting actor.
