O Yeong-Su, the 80-year-old South Korean actor, famous for portraying the enigmatic Oh Il Nam (Player 001) in Netflix’s ‘Squid Game’, has been sentenced to one year in prison after being found guilty of indecent assault.
The case revolves around allegations that O Yeong-Su forcibly hugged and kissed a female colleague near his home in 2017. The woman, a junior member of his theatre troupe, accused him of sexually harassing her on two occasions.
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At the final appeal hearing on April 3, prosecutors argued that the actor abused his influence in the theatre industry to prey on a vulnerable colleague.
Reports from Korean media indicate that the victim suffered emotional and psychological distress in both her personal and professional life due to the incident.
Prosecutors pushed for a strict prison sentence, emphasizing the lasting trauma on the victim and the seriousness of the offense.
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Despite the guilty verdict, O Yeong-Su has denied all allegations, maintaining that there is no solid evidence beyond the victim’s testimony. His legal team argued that her statements were vague, inconsistent, and lacked credibility.
His attorneys also pointed out that the accusations only surfaced after ‘Squid Game’ made him a global star, implying timing concerns behind the claims.
In an emotional statement to the court, O Yeong-Su expressed his shame and regret, stating:
“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.”
He added:
“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.”
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Final Verdict and Public Reaction
Initially, O Yeong-Su was handed a sentence of eight months in prison with a two-year probation period. However, in the latest appeal ruling, the court imposed a full one-year prison sentence.
The final decision will be officially announced on June 3.
The case has sparked widespread debate in South Korea, not only due to O Yeong-Su’s global fame following ‘Squid Game’, but also in relation to larger discussions about power abuse in the entertainment industry and the accountability of public figures.
