South Korean actor O Yeong-su, renowned globally for his role as Oh Il Nam in Netflix's Squid Game, has been sentenced to one year in prison after being convicted of indecent assault.
The 80-year-old actor was found guilty of forcibly molesting a woman on two separate occasions, incidents that have left a significant mark on both his career and personal life.
During his appeal trial, O Yeong-su maintained his innocence, pleading not guilty to the charges. On April 3, the prosecution presented its final arguments, painting the actor as a seasoned veteran with nearly five decades of experience in the theatre industry.
However, they argued that his actions, which involved sexually harassing a junior member of the troupe, were inexcusable. The prosecution described the victim as living in constant fear, both professionally and in her daily life, due to the events.
Korean media reports revealed that the prosecution’s case relied heavily on O Yeong-su's own statements since the accusations surfaced.
These statements were seen as reinforcing the victim's credibility, leading the prosecution to recommend a one-year prison sentence. They argued that such a sentence was necessary to help the victim in her recovery and to send a strong message against similar offences.
In his defence, O Yeong-su's lawyers highlighted the fact that the allegations surfaced just after the actor had achieved international fame through Squid Game.
The actor himself expressed deep regret in court, saying, “I am ashamed to be standing in court at this age. 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. If my careless words and actions hurt someone in our brief acquaintance, I regret that. My 80 years of life have collapsed in an instant, and I feel empty. I just want to return to my place.”
The case remains a significant and troubling chapter in O Yeong-su's long career, as it juxtaposes his reputation as a distinguished actor with the serious legal allegations against him.
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