The Suwon District Court reversed a lower court verdict that found the actor guilty of sexually harassing a woman in 2017.

Squid Game star Oh Young-soo acquitted of sexual misconduct by South Korean appeals court

The Suwon District Court reversed a lower court verdict that found the actor guilty of sexually harassing a woman in 2017.

By Shania Russell

Shania Russell

Shania Russell is a news writer at *, *with five years of experience. Her work has previously appeared in SlashFilm and Paste Magazine.

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November 11, 2025 2:43 p.m. ET

Oh Young-soo on season 1 of 'Squid Game'. Credit:

Noh Juhan | Netflix

A South Korean court has overturned the indecent assault conviction of *Squid Game* star Oh Young-soo.

Over a year after the 81-year-old actor was found guilty of indecent assault, a panel of judges in the Suwon District Court found that evidence presented by prosecutors was not sufficient to prove that Oh was guilty beyond a reasonable doubt, according to *The New York Times* and the Yonhap News Agency.

Oh was accused of inappropriately touching an unidentified actress on multiple occasions between August and September 2017. The appellate court acknowledged that prosecutors had reason to suspect the alleged misconduct, citing the fact that the accuser attended counseling for sexual violence six months after the alleged incident and that Oh had apologized at her request.

However, the bench found the evidence inadequate, expressing concern that "the victim's memory may have been distorted with time," and emphasized the need to protect the defendant’s interests when doubts remain.

South Korean actor Oh Young-soo attends Netflix's 'Squid Game' special event.

VALERIE MACON/AFP via Getty

Prosecutors now have a week to appeal and bring the case to the country’s Supreme Court, which would have the final word.

Representatives for Netflix did not immediately respond to **'s request for comment.

This latest ruling comes after Oh, who won a Golden Globe for his portrayal of contestant 001 on season 1 of  *Squid Game*, appealed a March 2024 verdict that he was guilty of indecent assault. The case against him included the actress' claims that Oh made sexually inappropriate comments in addition to hugging and kissing her against her will during a regional tour for a play in 2017.

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Her first report to the police was filed in 2021, prompting an investigation. Prosecutors initially dropped the case, but the woman appealed to reopen it. Oh was subsequently charged in 2022 after further evidence was gathered. He received an eight-month suspended sentence with two years of probation and was ordered to receive education on sexual violence. Oh has repeatedly denied the accusations.

In the wake of the appellate court ruling, Oh's accuser released a statement on Tuesday, through the women's rights organization, Womenlink (per BBC). "Despite today's ruling, I will continue to speak the truth to the very end," she said in her statement, adding that the acquittal would not "invalidate the truth or erase the pain I have suffered."

The acquittal was also criticized by Womenlink, which stated they were "outraged by a ruling that once again conceals sexual violence in the theatre world."

Lee Jung-jae and Oh Young-soo on season 1 of 'Squid Game'.

Noh Juhan | Netflix

As for Oh, he thanked the court for its "wise judgment" when he spoke to reporters on his way out of the courthouse.

Prior to the unexpected global success of *Squid Game*, Oh was known as one of South Korea's most accomplished stage actors, appearing in more than 200 plays since 1968, with several awards to his name. He rocketed to international fame as a cast member of the much-celebrated Netflix series, helped by the mysterious nature of his character, who conceals his true identity from the rest of the players.

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Oh became the first South Korean actor in history to win a Golden Globe for his performance on the show, and was also nominated for an Emmy. But since prosecutors officially charged him in 2022, his career has suffered. Oh did not return to *Squid Game* for season 2 or 3, and was also dropped from the South Korean play *Love Letter*.**

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Source: “EW TV”