Prosecutors have appealed the appellate court’s acquittal of actor Oh Young Soo (age 81), filing a petition with the Supreme Court.
According to legal officials, prosecutors submitted their appeal to the court on November 17. In criminal cases, an appeal must be filed within seven days of the verdict to seek a higher court’s review.
On November 11, the Criminal Appeals Division 6 of the Suwon District Court overturned the lower court’s ruling and handed down a not-guilty verdict in Oh’s second-trial hearing. The first trial had sentenced him to eight months in prison, suspended for two years.
The trial court initially ordered eight months in prison with a two-year suspended sentence and mandated 40 hours of sexual-offense treatment. Prosecutors appealed the ruling and sought a one-year sentence in both the first and second trials.
In its decision, the appellate bench noted, “The victim, Ms. A, sought sexual-violence counseling about six months after the incident and disclosed what happened to an acquaintance. Oh Young Soo also apologized in response to her message requesting an apology.”
However, the judges added, “There is a possibility that Ms. A’s memory may have been distorted over time,” emphasizing that “when reasonable doubt exists, the benefit must be given to the defendant,” explaining the basis for the acquittal.
The court also referenced the actor’s status at the time, stating, “Given his rising global popularity from Netflix’s 'Squid Game,' even the emergence of a sexual-offense allegation could have significantly impacted his projects,” adding that the act of sending an apology message could not be viewed as unusual under those circumstances.
The court likewise dismissed claims regarding hugging and kissing. “The victim’s account does not clearly differentiate between a polite embrace and the alleged conduct. It is difficult to conclude that the elements of forcible molestation were met,” the judges said.
Immediately after the verdict, Oh Young Soo said briefly to reporters, “I express my respect and gratitude to the court for its wise ruling.”
The victim, however, stated through her legal representative, calling it a “deplorable verdict” and urged the judiciary “to seriously reflect on the social message this ruling conveys.”
Oh Young Soo was indicted without detention in November 2022. He was accused of forcibly molesting a female theater member, Ms. A, twice in 2017—once by hugging her on a walking path and again by kissing her near her residence. Oh acknowledged holding her hand but has consistently denied any wrongdoing.
SEE ALSO: ‘Squid Game’ actor Oh Young Soo found not guilty of indecent assault on appeal
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