Post by : Raina
Al-Fahim
Renowned South Korean actor O Yeong-Su, celebrated for his portrayal in Netflix's hit series Squid Game, has been found not guilty of sexual misconduct by a South Korean court. The 81-year-old faced accusations of assaulting a woman twice back in 2017.
Initially convicted in 2024 and awarded an eight-month suspended prison term, O Yeong-Su contested the ruling. On Tuesday, the Suwon District Court nullified the earlier conviction, highlighting that the actor had undergone sexual violence education and raising concerns about the alleged victim's possibly fragmented recollections.
The incidents allegedly occurred during O Yeong-Su's stay in a remote location for a theatre performance. The victim lodged a complaint in 2021, which was dismissed in April; however, the prosecution revisited the case following the victim's appeal.
The court noted significant uncertainties regarding O Yeong-Su's culpability, asserting that defendants deserve the benefit of the doubt in ambiguous situations. Nonetheless, the court recognized O Yeong-Su's previous apology to the victim, suggesting potential misconduct.
The victim criticized the verdict, asserting it doesn't “negate the truth or alleviate the trauma I’ve endured” and pledged to keep voicing her experience. The women's rights organization, Womenlink, also denounced the court's decision, terming it “outrageous” and accusing it of masking sexual violence within the theater community.
In response to the ruling, O Yeong-Su expressed appreciation to the court for its “enlightened decision.”
O Yeong-Su achieved global recognition through Squid Game, which features contestants battling in lethal adaptations of children’s games. In 2022, he made history as the first South Korean actor to secure a Golden Globe for Best Supporting Actor, gaining acclaim for his performance in the inaugural season of the series.
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