South Korean actor O Yeong-Su, famed for his role in the global hit Squid Game, has been legally cleared of sexual misconduct charges after a multi-year court battle. The 81-year-old faced allegations of inappropriate conduct dating back to 2017, when he was performing in a rural theatre.
Previously convicted in 2024 and handed an eight-month suspended prison sentence, O Yeong-Su challenged the ruling, insisting on his innocence. On Tuesday, the Suwon District Court overturned the conviction, highlighting uncertainties over the alleged victim’s recollection and noting that the actor had undergone mandatory sexual violence education programs.
The allegations stemmed from claims that he had hugged and kissed a woman on the cheek without consent. The complaint was originally filed in 2021, briefly closed, and later reopened at the victim’s request. In its verdict, the court emphasized that, due to discrepancies in the timeline and potential memory distortion, the benefit of doubt must be applied to the defendant.
While the ruling clears O Yeong-Su legally, it has sparked outrage among some advocacy groups. Womenlink, a local organization supporting victims of sexual violence, criticized the decision, arguing that it undermines accountability and fails to acknowledge the survivor’s experience. The alleged victim also publicly rejected the outcome, asserting that the court’s decision did not erase her pain.
O Yeong-Su, who gained global recognition with his role in Squid Game and became the first South Korean actor to win a Golden Globe for best supporting actor in a series in 2022, expressed relief and gratitude following the ruling.
The case leaves open the question of whether prosecutors will appeal the acquittal. For now, the actor has been officially cleared of wrongdoing, allowing him to continue his career without the legal cloud that has hung over him for years.
