Prosecution Appeals Oh Young-soo's Acquittal in Sexual Harassment Case, Heading to Supreme Court
The prosecution has filed an appeal against the acquittal of veteran actor Oh Young-soo in a sexual harassment case, pushing the legal battle to the Supreme Court.
The appeal was submitted on the 17th to the appellate division of the Suwon District Court, citing legal misinterpretations as grounds for challenging the recent not-guilty verdict.
Oh Young-soo was indicted in 2017 on charges of indecent assault against a woman identified as Ms. A. He had previously denied the accusations, stating in a media interview that he merely held Ms. A's hand to guide her while walking by a lake, and that his actions did not constitute sexual harassment. He also clarified that his subsequent apology was not an admission of guilt but an effort to mend the relationship.
The first trial court had found Oh guilty in March of last year, citing the victim's consistent and detailed testimony, and sentenced him to an 8-month prison term, suspended for two years, along with a 40-hour sexual violence treatment program.
However, in the second trial, which both sides appealed, the court overturned the initial ruling, acquitting Oh. The appellate court explained that the victim's memory might have been distorted over time and that under the principle of in dubio pro reo (when in doubt, favor the defendant), the charges could not be proven beyond a reasonable doubt.
Ms. A strongly protested the appeal court's decision, releasing a statement through the Korean Women's Association United expressing her disbelief and deep regret. She argued that the verdict was shameful, reinforcing the structures of sexual violence and power dynamics, and urged the judiciary to reflect on the societal message conveyed by this ruling.
She further asserted that the acquittal does not invalidate the truth or erase her suffering, vowing to continue speaking out against sexual violence in the arts and society until the end.
Oh Young-soo gained international fame for his role as Oh Il-nam, the 'Kkanbu Grandpa,' in Netflix's 2021 series 'Squid Game.' The following year, he made history as the first Korean actor to win a Golden Globe for Best Supporting Actor in a Television Series. However, his career was put on hold after being indicted on sexual harassment charges, leading to a suspension from broadcasting on major networks like KBS.
Korean netizens are keenly following the case, with comments expressing disbelief at the acquittal and hope for the truth to be revealed. "So it's going to the Supreme Court after all," and "I can't believe he was found not guilty," are among the sentiments shared online.