Veteran Actor Oh Young-soo Faces One-Year Sentence in Appeal for Sexual Assault Case

Oh Young-soo (오영수), the veteran actor charged with sexual assault, appeared in court on April 3, 2025, for the conclusion of his appeal hearing at the Suwon District Court. The prosecution has requested a one-year prison sentence for Oh, who was previously sentenced to eight months in prison with a two-year probation in the first trial for an incident that occurred eight years ago.

During the hearing, the prosecution emphasized Oh's long-standing career in theater, stating, "The defendant, a veteran with 50 years in the industry, committed a serious offense against a young aspiring actress." They argued that Oh exploited the victim's lack of connections in the theater world, knowing she would be reluctant to speak out about the assault. The prosecution also criticized Oh for denying the allegations and showing no remorse, urging the court to impose a severe sentence.

In response, Oh's defense attorney maintained that he did not commit the alleged acts and argued that the prosecution's case relied solely on the victim's inconsistent testimony, which they claimed lacked credibility. The defense highlighted Oh's clean record over his 80 years of life and his dedication to theater, pleading for the restoration of his reputation so he could end his career on stage.

Throughout the proceedings, Oh appeared somber, occasionally raising his eyebrows as he listened to the arguments. The victim's attorney countered that Oh had acknowledged the victim's request for an apology, expressing sentiments of sincerity and care.

In his final statement, Oh expressed his embarrassment at being in court at his age, stating, "If I have made a mistake, I will accept the consequences, but I believe there was nothing that could be considered assault. I regret if my actions caused any hurt during our brief acquaintance." He lamented the impact of the case on his life, saying, "Eighty years of my life have crumbled without value. It is empty and hard to bear. Please allow me to return to my place."

Oh was charged with two counts of sexual assault, including hugging the victim and kissing her on the cheek, during a summer theater performance in Daegu in 2017. He has consistently denied the allegations throughout the investigation and trial. The first trial found him guilty, leading to his appeal.

Oh gained international fame for his role as the 'Grandpa' in the Netflix series Squid Game (오징어 게임) and was the first Korean actor to win a Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actor in January 2022. Following his conviction, KBS suspended his appearances on their network.

The verdict for Oh's appeal is scheduled for June 3, 2025, at 2 PM.