'Squid Game' actor risks prison sentence over sexual assault allegations

Actor O Yeong-su stars in Netflix-produced series "Squid Game." Photo from O's fanpage's Instagram

The Korea JoongAng Daily notes that in a Friday court session, prosecutors also proposed barring O from employment involving children and adolescents and demanded his personal information for public disclosure, citing his lack of remorse.

As reported by The Korea Herald, O was officially indicted in Nov. 2022 following accusations of sexually assaulting a theater troupe colleague in 2017. The complaint alleges that O groped and kissed her without consent.

However, O has since maintained his innocence throughout his trial, which started in February last year.

The verdict is scheduled to be delivered on Mar. 15.

O, 80, has had a long career in acting since 1963, with significant recognition in theater and a notable performance in South Korean director Kim Ki-duk’s 2003 film "Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter... and Spring."

He gained international attention with his role in the 2021 Netflix-produced series "Squid Game."