Squid Game star O Yeong-su has been acquitted of sexual misconduct charges by a court in South Korea. The 81-year-old was charged in 2022 with sexually assaulting a woman twice, allegedly hugging and kissing her on the cheek against her will.
After being found guilty in 2024 and receiving an eight-month suspended prison sentence, Mr. O appealed the verdict. This Tuesday, a court overturned his sentence, citing that he had undergone sexual violence education and that the victim's memories might have been ‘distorted’ due to the passage of time.
The incidents in question took place in 2017 while Mr. O was in a rural area for a theater performance. The victim filed a complaint in 2021, which was initially closed but reopened later at her request.
The Suwon District Court commented on the case, stating there was considerable doubt that Mr. O had committed the identified assault, thus supporting the legal principle that the defendant should benefit from uncertainty.
However, the decision contained a caveat, acknowledging that Mr. O had apologized to the victim, suggesting a potential acknowledgement of wrongdoing. Following the ruling, the alleged victim criticized the court's decision, stating it does not erase her pain, and reaffirmed her commitment to speak the truth.
Womenlink, a women's rights organization, expressed outrage at the ruling, deeming it an additional concealment of sexual violence in the theater community. It remains uncertain if the prosecution will challenge the acquittal.
Post-ruling, Mr. O expressed gratitude towards the court for what he termed a ‘wise judgment’. He gained international fame after his role in 'Squid Game', becoming the first South Korean actor to win a Golden Globe for best supporting actor following his performance in the hit Netflix series.
