Veteran actor Oh Yeong-su, 81, who shot to global fame for his role in the hit Korean drama "Squid Game," has finally put an end to a nearly four-year-long legal battle over alleged sexual misconduct. On the 25th, South Korea's Supreme Court officially ruled to dismiss the prosecution's appeal against the verdict of the second trial, deciding to uphold the not-guilty ruling. With this, the highly watched sexual harassment scandal in the entertainment industry has reached its final conclusion, and Oh Yeong-su has been completely cleared of the forcible molestation charge.
Looking back at the case, the dispute stemmed from an accusation by a junior female theater troupe member, identified as A, who claimed that in 2017, during a walk while performing a stage play in Daegu, Oh Yeong-su forcibly hugged her and kissed her on the cheek in front of her residence. The case was formally prosecuted in 2022. Oh Yeong-su admitted to holding hands to lead the way but firmly denied any act of molestation. In March 2024, the first trial court accepted the woman's diary and counseling records as evidence, sentencing Oh to eight months in prison with a two-year suspended sentence. However, in the second trial, a dramatic reversal occurred: the judge found inconsistencies in the woman’s statements and noted that memories may have been distorted over time, ultimately acquitting Oh of the charges.
With the Supreme Court dismissing the appeal and the not-guilty verdict finalized, public reaction has been sharply divided. Oh Yeong-su's side immediately expressed heartfelt gratitude for the court's wise decision, believing that justice had finally restored his innocence. In contrast, the alleged victim A voiced strong opposition to the ruling, publicly criticizing the verdict as consolidating unequal power structures in the workplace in sexual violence cases.