'Squid Game' actor O Yeong-su (81) acquitted of sexual misconduct
What's the story
O Yeong-su, the 81-year-old South Korean actor known for his role in the hit Netflix series Squid Game, has been acquitted of sexual misconduct charges. The decision was made by a South Korean court on Tuesday. The actor was initially convicted in 2024 and sentenced to an eight-month suspended prison term, but had appealed against the ruling. O was accused of sexually assaulting a woman twice.
Legal proceedings
Court found 'doubt' over the alleged assault
The court, while overturning the sentence, stated, "There is a possibility that the victim's memory has been distorted over time, and when there is doubt... the defendant must be given the benefit of the doubt." The alleged assaults reportedly occurred in 2017 when O was in a rural area for a theater performance. During its ruling, the Suwon District Court also noted that it's possible O committed the assault since he had apologized to the victim.
Case history
Alleged victim had lodged complaint against O in 2021
The alleged victim had lodged a complaint against O in 2021, but the case was closed in April that year. However, the investigation was later reopened by the prosecution at her request, as per Yonhap agency. After the ruling, O expressed his gratitude to the court for its "wise judgement".
Reaction
Alleged victim expresses dissatisfaction with ruling
The alleged victim later expressed her dissatisfaction with the ruling, stating it would not "invalidate the truth or erase the pain I have suffered." "Despite today's ruling, I will continue to speak the truth to the very end," she said in a statement released through women's rights organization Womenlink. Womenlink also slammed the ruling, saying they were "outraged by a ruling that once again conceals sexual violence in the theater world."
Career trajectory
O won Golden Globe for 'Squid Game'
O gained global recognition for his role in Squid Game, a dystopian drama where participants play deadly versions of children's games. In 2022, he became the first South Korean actor to win a Golden Globe for Best Supporting Actor in a Series for his role in the first season of this popular Netflix thriller.