The prosecution claimed that the incident for which the actor was accused occurred in 2017 during a theater tour. The victim alleged that the actor hugged and kissed her on the cheek without her consent.
The first-instance court had previously found the 81-year-old artist guilty and imposed a suspended sentence of eight months in prison with a two-year probation period. The prosecution insisted on a one-year prison sentence in both the first and second instances.
However, the appellate court concluded that there was insufficient evidence for a guilty verdict. The judges noted that while there are grounds to believe that the incident may have occurred, it is necessary to consider the possibility of memory distortion over time and to maintain a balance between protecting the rights of the victim and the rights of the accused.
As a result, the first-instance decision was overturned, and the actor was fully acquitted.
O Yeong-su himself categorically denied all accusations, emphasizing that he "simply held the woman's hand to show her the way around the lake." After the hearing, he did not make any official comments; however, his representatives stated that he is pleased with the conclusion of the protracted legal process and intends to return to his normal life.
In 2021, after the release of "Squid Game" on Netflix, O Yeong-su became a global celebrity. In 2022, he was awarded a Golden Globe for Best Supporting Actor in a Television Project.
