The prosecution asked a Korean court to sentence “Squid Game” actor and Golden Globe winner O Yeong-su, 79, to one year in prison for sexually harassing a woman in 2017.
In November 2022, O Yeong-su (오영수), who played the role of contestant No. 001 Oh Il-nam in Netflix’s global hit series “Squid Game,” was indicted by the prosecution for alleged violation of Article 298 or Indecent Act by Compulsion under Korea’s Criminal Act law.
Korean actor O Yeong-su as Oh Il-nam in Netflix’s global hit series “Squid Game" (Netflix)
Korean actor O Yeong-su (right) with Lee Jung-jae in Netflix’s global hit series “Squid Game" (Netflix)
“Squid Game" Season 1 (Netflix)
“A person who, through violence or intimidation, commits an indecent act on another shall be punished by imprisonment with labor for not more than ten years or by a fine not exceeding 15 million won [about $11,200],” according to the law.
O Yeong-su was accused of inappropriately making physical contact with a woman in mid-2017.
The woman filed a complaint against him with the police in December 2021, nearly four months after “Squid Game” was released in September.
Initially, the police closed the case and decided not to send the case to the prosecution but the woman appealed and prosecutors conducted another investigation, which led to his indictment.
On Feb. 2, a hearing was held by the Seongnam branch of the Suwon District Court in South Korea.
During the hearing, the prosecution asked the court to put O Yeong-su in jail for one year, issue an employment restriction order against him, and disclose his personal information.
Korean media reported that O Yeong-su stayed in Daegu, South Korea for two months for a theater performance in 2017.
In August of that year, he hugged the victim on a promenade and in September of the same year, he allegedly harassed her on two occasions including kissing her on the cheek.
O Yeong-su denied the charges, saying, "I have not committed any harassment."
The victim’s side stated that "at the time of the harassment, the victim was 22 years old and a junior member of the troupe. O Yeong-su was 50 years older than the victim, and used his superior position and experience within the troupe to forcibly molest a junior member by hugging her and kissing her by surprise."
Oh Yeong-su’s side said there is insufficient evidence other than the statement of the victim.
"There is very little evidence other than the victim's statement and derived evidence. Considering the location, conditions, and time of the molestation, there are doubts as to whether the defendant could have committed the crime, so please declare him not guilty,” according to the actor’s lawyer.
O Yeong-su was affected by the case, saying, "It's so difficult and painful to stand in court. It's devastating to see my life end in this situation, and I feel like my whole life is falling apart.”
In 2022, he set a record by becoming the first Korean actor to win the best supporting actor award in a series, miniseries or television film at the Golden Globe Awards for his role in “Squid Game.”
Netflix earlier released a teaser and first look images for “Squid Game” Season 2.