A South Korean court has acquitted veteran actor Oh Yeong-su, globally known for his role in the Netflix series Squid Game, of sexual harassment charges, citing insufficient evidence and potential memory distortion from the accuser.
The 81-year-old actor was previously convicted in 2024 and received a suspended eight-month prison sentence. Oh had appealed that conviction, leading to the latest reversal by the court today, November 11.
The court’s decision highlighted "doubt" regarding whether Oh actually committed the alleged acts. It noted "the possibility that the victim’s memory may be distorted over time," emphasizing that the defendant must benefit from such doubt.
Oh was accused of two instances of non-consensual physical contact, including hugging and kissing a woman’s cheek, in 2022.
The alleged incident reportedly took place in 2017 while Oh was on a rural retreat for a theatrical performance, according to Yonhap News. The alleged victim initially filed a complaint in 2021, which was closed but later re-opened by prosecutors at her request.
Despite the acquittal, the Suwon District Court’s statement acknowledged the possibility of the defendant’s guilt, noting his prior apology to the victim.
Oh expressed gratitude to the court for its "wise discretion."
The accuser voiced disagreement, stating the ruling would not "invalidate the truth or erase the pain I have received." Women’s rights group Womenlink criticized the verdict as "covering up sexual violence in the world of theater."
It remains unclear if prosecutors will pursue a further appeal.
Oh rose to international prominence for his portrayal of Player 001 in Squid Game, a dystopian series. In 2022, he became the first South Korean actor to win a Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actor in a Series for his role.