O Yeong-Su, the star of the globally recognized series 'Squid Game,' has been acquitted of sexual misconduct charges by a South Korean court. The 81-year-old actor was initially charged in 2022 for allegedly sexually assaulting a woman on two occasions. The accusations detailed that he had hugged the victim and kissed her cheek without consent.
After being found guilty in 2024 and receiving an eight-month suspended prison sentence, O Yeong-Su chose to appeal the decision. This week, the court overturned the conviction, noting that the actor had completed classes on sexual violence and raising concerns about the reliability of the victim's memory due to the time elapsed since the incidents occurred.
The alleged events took place in 2017 while Mr. O was performing in a rural theater. The victim reported the alleged assaults in 2021; however, the initial complaint was closed within the same year until the investigation was reopened at her request.
The Suwon District Court remarked on the uncertainty of whether the actor committed the assault, suggesting that the victim's account might have become distorted over time, and concluded that when there is doubt, the defendant should benefit from it.
Nonetheless, the court also acknowledged that O Yeong-Su had expressed regret towards the victim, leading to mixed interpretations regarding his acknowledgment of potential wrongdoing.
The victim expressed her discontent with the ruling, emphasizing that it wouldn't change the reality of her experience. She intends to continue advocating for her truth, supported by the women's rights organization Womenlink, which criticized the court's decision as a setback for victims of sexual violence in the theater community.
O Yeong-Su, celebrated for receiving the first Golden Globe award for a South Korean actor after his role in 'Squid Game,' expressed gratitude to the court for its decision and referenced his hopes for a clearer resolution to the case.
