Squid Game star O Yeong-su sentenced to one year in prison for sexual assault

O Yeong-su, the 80-year-old actor best known for his role as Oh Il Nam in Netflix's Squid Game, has been sentenced to one year in prison after being found guilty of indecent assault, according to Korean media reports.

The actor was accused of forcibly molesting a woman on two separate occasions, charges he consistently denied throughout the trial.

Prosecution's final arguments

Korean media reports reveal that during the appeal trial, O Yeong-su maintained his innocence.

On April 3, the prosecution, in its final arguments, characterised the actor, a veteran of nearly five decades in theater, as having "sexually harassed a powerless junior member of the troupe."

They emphasised that the victim had been living in constant fear "both at work and in daily life" following the incidents in 2017. The prosecution also pointed out O Yeong-su’s alleged statement to the victim, "I did it with the heart of a father," which they argued demonstrated a lack of remorse.

Prosecutors requested a one-year prison sentence, aiming to support the victim's recovery and deter similar offenses. They argued that the consistency of O Yeong-su's statements since the accusations emerged reinforced the charges' credibility.

Defense's counterarguments

O Yeong-su's defense team contested all charges, claiming that the victim's statement was the sole evidence and lacked consistency. They further suggested that his formal response to the allegations was an attempt to avoid controversy surrounding Squid Game, the show that brought him global fame.

Actor's response in court

In court, O Yeong-su expressed regret for any pain caused but continued to maintain his innocence. "If my words or actions were wrong, I will accept the consequences. However, even upon reflection, I do not believe I committed any act that could be considered assault," he stated. "My 80 years of life have collapsed in an instant, and I feel empty. I just want to return to my place."

Appeal verdict and what next

Originally sentenced to eight months in prison with a two-year probation, the appeal ruling has now increased his sentence to one year. The final verdict is scheduled to be announced on June 3. The allegations stem from incidents in 2017, when O Yeong-su was accused of forcibly hugging and kissing the victim near his residence, which he denies.

Career and Squid Game Fame

With over five decades in the entertainment industry, O Yeong-su gained global recognition for his role in Netflix's Squid Game. The series portrays a dark world where marginalized individuals are forced to compete in deadly versions of traditional children's games.