South Korean actor Oh Young‑soo— globally known for his role in the hit series Squid Game—has been cleared of indecent assault charges by the Suwon District Court’s appellate division on 11 November 2025.
The previous conviction from 2024, which carried an eight-month suspended prison sentence and two years’ probation, has now been overturned on the grounds that the evidence was insufficient to meet the standard of “beyond a reasonable doubt”.
The case stems from allegations made in December 2021 by a woman who claimed that in August and September 2017, during a provincial theatre tour, Oh had forcibly hugged and kissed her cheek without consent. The prosecution initially sought a one-year prison term during the appeals process.
In the first trial, the Seongnam branch of the Suwon court found Oh guilty, delivering a sentence of eight months in prison (suspended) and two years’ probation, in addition to ordering him to complete 40 hours of sexual-violence prevention training. Oh denied the allegations, stating that he only held the accuser’s hand to guide her and that his apology was a formal matter rather than an admission of guilt.
On appeal, the court determined that the evidence presented lacked the reliability and specificity required for a conviction, particularly given the passage of time and potential memory distortions. The decision emphasised the principle that, when doubt remains, the interests of the defendant must be protected.
Following the verdict, Oh expressed gratitude to the court for its “wise judgment.” Meanwhile, the accuser, supported by the women’s-rights organisation Womenlink, said she would continue to pursue what she described as her truth: “Despite today’s ruling, I will continue to speak out until the end.”
Oh’s international profile—which includes his Golden Globe Award-winning performance in Squid Game—had been tarnished by the legal proceedings. He was excluded from the series’ subsequent season and saw multiple film and theatre engagements sidelined.
While the appellate verdict restores his legal status, questions remain about his industry standing and public reputation. Prosecutors now have one week to file an appeal to South Korea’s Supreme Court, which would have the final say in the matter.
