Post by : Rameen Ariff

O Yeong-Su, the renowned South Korean actor celebrated for his performance in Netflix’s Squid Game, has been acquitted of sexual misconduct charges by a court in South Korea. The 81-year-old faced accusations of having sexually assaulted a woman on two separate occasions back in 2017.

In 2024, O Yeong-Su was convicted and sentenced to eight months in prison, which was suspended pending an appeal. This Tuesday, the Suwon District Court reversed the conviction, highlighting his completion of sexual violence education and expressing concerns that the alleged victim’s recollection of events might have been affected by time.

The incidents reportedly occurred while O Yeong-Su was in a remote location for a theatre performance. The victim lodged a complaint in 2021, which was initially closed in April of that year, but the prosecution later reopened the investigation upon her request.

In its decision, the court noted considerable doubt regarding whether O Yeong-Su actually committed the alleged assault, asserting that defendants should receive the benefit of the doubt in uncertain situations. Nonetheless, they acknowledged the actor's apology to the victim, suggesting the possibility of misconduct.

The alleged victim expressed disappointment with the verdict, stating it does not diminish her truth or the suffering she has endured, and affirmed her dedication to raising awareness. Women’s rights organization Womenlink condemned the ruling as “outrageous,” claiming it obscures the prevalence of sexual violence in the performing arts.

In response to the court's decision, O Yeong-Su conveyed his appreciation for what he referred to as the “wise judgement.”

He shot to global fame with Squid Game, depicting contestants embroiled in dangerous takes on childhood games. In 2022, he became the first South Korean recipient of a Golden Globe for Best Supporting Actor in a series, garnering praise for his performance in the first season.

#Global