Squid Game star O Yeong-Su has been acquitted of sexual misconduct charges by a court in South Korea.
The 81-year-old was charged in 2022 with sexually assaulting a woman twice. The allegations claimed that he hugged the woman and kissed her on the cheek against her will.
Initially, O was found guilty in 2024 and received an eight-month suspended prison sentence, but he appealed the verdict.
This week, a court overturned his sentence, stating that he had completed sexual violence education courses and suggested the alleged victim's memory may have been 'distorted,' given the time elapsed since the incidents.
The alleged assaults reportedly took place in 2017 during a theatre performance in a rural area. The alleged victim lodged a complaint in 2021, though the case was initially closed before being reopened at her request, according to Yonhap agency.
The Suwon District Court commented that there was 'doubt' regarding the assault's occurrence, indicating that the defendant should be given the benefit of the doubt in cases of uncertainty.
Nonetheless, the court acknowledged it was possible O had committed the assaults, noting his previous apology to the victim.
The alleged victim, speaking after the ruling, reiterated that the outcome would not 'invalidate the truth or erase the pain I have suffered,' pledging to continue speaking out.
Women's rights organization Womenlink expressed outrage over the ruling, emphasizing it perpetuates the concealment of sexual violence in the theatre industry.
It remains unclear whether the prosecution plans to appeal the court's decision.
Following the ruling, O expressed gratitude to the court for its judgement.
O Yeong-Su gained global recognition after his performance in 'Squid Game,' which features individuals competing in deadly games. In 2022, he made history as the first South Korean actor to win a Golden Globe award for best supporting actor.
