Seongnam, South Korea – O Yeong-Su, known for his role as Oh Il-nam in the popular series “Squid Game,” has been sentenced to an eight-month suspended prison term for sexual misconduct. The 79-year-old actor was charged with sexually assaulting a woman on two occasions in 2017 while staying in a rural area for a theater performance. Despite his denial of the accusations, the Seongnam Branch of the Suwon District Court found him guilty and ordered him to attend sexual violence classes.
The allegations against O Yeong-Su involved hugging and kissing a woman against her will, as reported by the Yonhap news agency. The court determined that the victim’s testimony was consistent and compelling, leading to the verdict. O Yeong-Su has expressed his intention to appeal the decision within seven days.
Following his rise to international fame from his role in “Squid Game,” O Yeong-Su became the first South Korean actor to win a Golden Globe Award. However, the recent controversy has led to his removal from an upcoming film project in South Korea. The sentencing has also sparked responses from organizations such as Womenlink, a prominent feminist group, which called for accountability and acknowledgment of the harm caused by sexual violence in the industry.
Judge Jeong Yeon-ju emphasized the importance of taking the victim’s claims seriously, stating that the evidence presented was compelling and reflected the experiences of the victim. O Yeong-Su, a veteran actor in the South Korean entertainment industry, faces a tarnished reputation and potential career setbacks following the court’s ruling.
The impact of the verdict extends beyond O Yeong-Su’s personal life, casting a shadow over the entertainment industry’s handling of sexual misconduct allegations. The case serves as a reminder of the ongoing need for accountability and prevention of sexual violence in all sectors. As the legal proceedings continue, O Yeong-Su’s future in the industry remains uncertain amidst the repercussions of the court’s decision.