O Yeong-Su, famous for his role in Squid Game, has been acquitted of sexual assault charges after a court ruling questioned the victim’s memory

In a surprising turn of events, Squid Game star O Yeong-Su has been acquitted of sexual misconduct charges by a South Korean court, after a lengthy legal battle. The 81-year-old actor, who rose to international fame for his role in the hit Netflix series, had been charged with sexually assaulting a woman in 2022. The case has stirred significant controversy, particularly given O’s celebrity status and the serious nature of the accusations.

The charges, which stemmed from an incident in 2017, involved claims that O had hugged and kissed the woman on the cheek against her will. At the time, O was staying in a rural area while performing in a theatre production. The alleged victim filed a complaint against him in 2021, but the case was initially closed in April of that year. However, after the victim insisted on pursuing the matter, the prosecution reopened the investigation, leading to O’s initial conviction in 2024.

In that trial, O was found guilty and sentenced to eight months in prison, though the sentence was suspended. He immediately appealed the decision, maintaining his innocence. On Tuesday, the Suwon District Court overturned the ruling, citing the victim’s potential memory distortion over time as a factor in its decision. The court also noted that O had completed classes on sexual violence, which may have influenced their judgment.

The court’s statement acknowledged the possibility that O had indeed committed the assault but found that doubt existed regarding the truth of the allegations. They stated that when doubt exists, the defendant must be given the benefit of the doubt, leading to O’s acquittal.

Despite this, the alleged victim expressed her dissatisfaction with the verdict, stating that it did not change the truth of what happened or erase the pain she had endured. Through the women’s rights group Womenlink, she vowed to continue speaking out, insisting that the ruling would not invalidate her experience.

Womenlink condemned the court’s decision, calling it an example of how sexual violence is often covered up in the theatre world, where such cases are frequently dismissed. The group voiced their outrage over what they saw as another instance of the justice system failing to fully acknowledge and address the impact of sexual assault.

The prosecution has not yet indicated whether they will appeal the decision, leaving the final resolution of the case uncertain.

After the verdict, O spoke to local media, expressing his gratitude to the court for its “wise judgment” and reaffirming his innocence.

O Yeong-Su, who became the first South Korean actor to win a Golden Globe for his performance in Squid Game in 2022, had previously been one of the standout performers in the series. His role in the dystopian drama, where participants compete in deadly versions of childhood games, captivated global audiences. His win at the Golden Globes for Best Supporting Actor in a Series added to his rising fame.

However, with this legal battle now behind him, the actor’s career may continue to be overshadowed by the controversy surrounding the case. The split opinions over his acquittal further highlight the ongoing complexities of addressing sexual misconduct cases, particularly in the entertainment industry.