O Yeong-su Cleared of Charges in Sexual Misconduct Case: A Controversial Verdict
O Yeong-su, the 81-year-old star of the global hit series 'Squid Game', has been acquitted by a South Korean court of sexual misconduct charges. This outcome comes after significant public scrutiny surrounding the original accusations against him, which alleged he had sexually assaulted a woman in 2017 during a theater performance.
The actor was charged in 2022 with hugging the woman and kissing her cheek without consent. Initially found guilty in 2024, he received an eight-month suspended prison sentence. O Yeong-su stated his intention to appeal the verdict at that time.
On November 11, a court overturned his conviction, noting that he had undertaken sexual violence education and attributing potential distortions in the victim's recollection of events due to the significant time lapse since the incidents.
The alleged incidents reportedly occurred in a rural area, with the victim filing a complaint in 2021. The case was closed earlier that year, only to be reopened later at the victim's request.
In its ruling, the Suwon District Court acknowledged the limitations of the victim's memory but left open the possibility that the assault could have happened, given O Yeong-su's prior apology to the victim. Following the ruling, the victim voiced her dismay, asserting the ruling does not erase her trauma and expressing her commitment to speak the truth.
Women’s rights organization Womenlink also criticized the verdict, deeming it another instance that protects sexual violence within the theater community.
As O Yeong-su expressed gratitude to the court for its decision, the broader societal implications of the ruling and the treatment of sexual assault allegations in the arts continue to spark intense discussions.
O Yeong-su gained international fame following his role in 'Squid Game'. In 2022, he achieved a historic milestone as the first South Korean actor to win a Golden Globe for Best Supporting Actor, further emphasizing the dual narrative of acclaim and controversy surrounding his public persona.
