Squid Game actor O Yeong-Su convicted of sexual misconduct

Actor O Yeong-Su, best known for his role in the hit Netflix web series Squid Game, has been convicted of sexual misconduct over allegations that he hugged and kissed a woman on the cheek without her consent.

The Seongnam branch of the Suwon district court sentenced O to eight months in prison, suspended for two years, as well as 40 hours of attendance at a sexual violence treatment programme, the court official said by telephone.

The 79-year-old actor, who was charged with two counts of sexual harassment in 2017, had denied the accusations.

The victim's own records of the assault and her claims are "consistent ... and appear to be statements that cannot be made without actually experiencing them," judge Jeong Yeon-ju said, according to the court.

O was indicted in 2022 without detention on charges of sexually assaulting a woman, who has not been identified, on two occasions.

As he was leaving the court, O told reporters he planned to appeal against the decision. He has seven days to appeal or the ruling will be upheld.

O portrayed Player No. 001 in the mega-popular Squid Game, a second season of which is coming this year. Oh is not involved in Season 2. With his Golden Globe win, Oh became the first South Korean to win the award. He was also nominated for an Emmy in 2022 for supporting actor in a drama series