Squid Game Star O Yeong-su Acquitted by Korean Appeals Court
Squid Game Star O Yeong-su Acquitted by Korean Appeals Court
An appellate court in Suwon overturns a prior conviction, acquitting O Yeong-su of sexual misconduct amid questions about evidence and memory timing.
In Suwon, South Korea, the appellate court handed a pivotal reversal in a high-profile case against O Yeong-su, the 81-year-old actor known to global audiences for his role in Netflix’s Squid Game. The court overturned a previous conviction and acquitted him of charges of sexual misconduct, a move that shifts the legal narrative surrounding the allegations dating back to 2022 and a decision made last year. The lower court had found him guilty of inappropriately touching and kissing an unidentified actress and had issued an eight-month suspended sentence along with a requirement to attend 40 hours of classes on sexual violence. Those penalties will no longer stand in light of the appellate ruling.
The appellate panel said there were serious doubts about the timing of the victim’s counseling after the incident and the consistency of her statements. It emphasized the possibility that memories may have become distorted over time, arguing that the interpretation most favorable to the defendant should be applied. While the court still described instances such as hugging, kissing, holding hands, and making sexual comments in its deliberations, the final decision accused of sexual misconduct was overturned on the grounds of insufficient evidence under the circumstances presented at trial.
O Yeong-su has maintained his innocence throughout the proceedings and had previously offered a brief apology, telling reporters prior to the first hearing that he “think[s] I behaved badly,” while also vowing to appeal once the conviction was handed down. In response to the ruling, representatives for the anonymous actress who brought the case said the judiciary must carefully consider the message sent regarding sexual violence and hierarchical structures. The decision comes as the entertainment industry in Korea faces ongoing scrutiny of how such allegations are handled, particularly when they involve public figures tied to global franchises.
For fans of Squid Game and observers of Korean jurisprudence, the acquittal adds nuance to a case that intertwined celebrity, memory, and the justice system. It underscores how appellate review can shift outcomes when evidence and narrative timing become central to a verdict, and it leaves room for further discussion about due process in high-profile allegations.
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