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South Korean court acquits 'Squid Game' actor O Yeong-su of sexual misconduct
A South Korean appeals court on Tuesday overturned the 2024 conviction of actor O Yeong-su, 81, on charges of sexual misconduct, citing doubts over the reliability of the accuser's testimony and the passage of time since the alleged incidents.
Background of the case
O, best known internationally for his role in Netflix's Squid Game, was initially charged in 2022 with sexually assaulting a woman twice in 2017. The allegations included unwanted hugging and kissing on the cheek while he was staying in a rural area for a theater performance. The case was first dismissed in 2021 after the victim filed a complaint but was later reopened following her request, according to reports by Yonhap News Agency.
A lower court had convicted O in 2024, sentencing him to eight months in prison, suspended for two years. The actor appealed the ruling, maintaining his innocence.
Court's reasoning for acquittal
The Suwon District Court, in its Tuesday ruling, acknowledged "doubt" over whether the assault occurred, suggesting the victim's memory may have been "distorted" over the years. The judges emphasized that, in cases of uncertainty, the benefit of doubt must favor the defendant.
However, the court also noted that O's apology to the victim left open the possibility of wrongdoing. The actor had reportedly completed educational courses on sexual violence as part of his probation.
Reactions to the verdict
The alleged victim, speaking through the women's rights group Womenlink, condemned the decision, asserting it would not "invalidate the truth or erase the pain I have suffered." She vowed to continue speaking out, while Womenlink criticized the ruling as another instance of sexual violence in the theater industry being "concealed."
Following the acquittal, O expressed gratitude to the court, calling the judgment "wise." It remains unclear whether prosecutors will appeal the decision.
O's career and rise to fame
O Yeong-su gained global recognition after his Golden Globe-winning performance in Squid Game (2021), where he played a frail but cunning contestant in the deadly survival series. His role marked the first time a South Korean actor received a Golden Globe for best supporting actor in a television series.
