South Korean actor Oh Young-soo, who gained worldwide fame in 2021 for his role in Squid Games, was convicted of sexual misconduct on Friday and sentenced to a suspended prison sentence, international news agency Reuters reported.
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The conviction follows charges filed against the actor in 2022, alleging he improperly touched a woman he was acquainted with about five years prior. The same woman filed a complaint against the actor a year ago. Local police decided to close the case in April 2022 but reopened it at the plaintiff’s request.
After being questioned, Oh denied the allegations against him, saying in a statement published on the local JTBC television network at the time, "I only held the woman’s hands to show her the way the lake. I apologized because she said she wouldn't raise an issue about it, but that doesn't mean I admit to being guilty."
Now, as mentioned, the district court has sentenced the 79-year-old actor to eight months in prison on a two-year probation and 40 hours in a sexual violence treatment program.
The Womenlink organization, a women's rights group in South Korea, welcomed the verdict and urged the actor to apologize to the victim. "The defendant resembles other offenders of sexual violence in theatre in the past who tried to cover up their sexual violence as 'favor' and 'friendship'," the organization said.
However, it seems Oh isn’t expected to heed their advice, as when he left the court, he told reporters that he plans to appeal the decision. He must do so within seven days - or the verdict will be finalized.