O Yeong-su, a South Korean actor best known for playing Player 001 in the popular Netflix series Squid Game, was found guilty of indecent assault and given a one-year prison sentence.
The renowned actor, 80, was previously sentenced to eight months in prison and two years of probation. A recent court decision, however, reversed that judgment and substituted a one-year jail sentence.
O Yeong-su has continuously disputed the allegations that he violently molested a woman in two different events, which are the basis for the charges against him.
The actor, a seasoned member of South Korea’s theater industry, was accused by authorities of sexually harassing a weaker junior coworker at a hearing on Thursday, April 3.
The victim lived in fear following the incidents, according to local media, in both her personal and professional life. Instead of expressing genuine regret, prosecutors criticized O’s response to the accusations, saying that by saying, “I did it with the heart of a father,” he inflicted more injury.
Notwithstanding his insistence on his innocence, O apologized to the court:
“At this age, being put on trial is degrading. I’ll take responsibility if I said or did something improper. But I don’t think what I did was assault.
I apologize if my thoughtless words or behavior during a brief exchange caused hurt. All of the things I’ve constructed over the past 80 years have suddenly fallen apart. I feel so empty. All I want is to get back to where I belong.
#SquidGame actor #OYeongSu gets 1-year jail for sexual assault case #OhYoungSoohttps://t.co/Qg9z8Z3LcY
— TIMES NOW (@TimesNow) April 4, 2025
