Veteran actor Oh Young Soo, aged 81, is facing the risk of serving a one-year prison sentence once more in his appeal trial concerning charges of forced indecent assault.
During the recent hearing at the Suwon District Court’s Criminal Appeals Division 6-1 on April 3, the prosecution accused the experienced actor of sexually harassing a younger member of the theater troupe, highlighting the victim’s distress and fear caused by the alleged incident. They reiterated their request for a one-year prison sentence, consistent with the initial trial.
The legal representative for the victim emphasized that Oh Young Soo's actions had added to the victim’s suffering by making inappropriate remarks when confronted, stating that punishment was essential for the victim's well-being and as a deterrent against similar offenses.
Contrarily, Oh Young Soo's defense team refuted the allegations, claiming inconsistencies in the victim's testimony and arguing that it did not align with objective facts. They contended that the sole evidence against Oh Young Soo was the victim’s statement, which they criticized for lacking specificity and coherence.
Regarding the crucial apology message that played a significant role in the initial guilty verdict, the defense clarified that Oh Young Soo, who was gaining international recognition from his role in 'Squid Game,' felt pressured to issue a formal apology without fully understanding the situation.
In his closing statement, Oh Young Soo expressed regret for any unintentional harm caused by his actions but maintained his innocence regarding the assault allegations. He reflected on the impact of the accusations on his reputation and expressed a desire to move past the challenging situation.
Despite rising to fame in 2022 for his performance in 'Squid Game' and winning a Golden Globe Award, Oh Young Soo faced accusations in November of the same year for allegedly molesting a female theater troupe member. The victim, referred to as A, claimed that Oh Young Soo had hugged and kissed her without consent. While he denied the allegations, he was initially sentenced to eight months in prison with a two-year probation period. The final verdict from the appeal trial is expected to be announced on June 3 at 2 PM.