South Korean actor Yoo Ah-in, known for his roles in “Burning” and “Hellbound,” has been accused of sexual assault by a 30-year-old man who has filed a formal complaint. The incident allegedly occurred on July 14 in a commercial-residential building in Yongsan District, central Seoul, while the complainant was asleep.
Yoo Ah-in’s lawyer, Park Jung Hyun, has firmly denied the allegations, stating, “The claims in the criminal complaint involving Yoo Ah-in are not true. Additionally, we ask that you refrain from unnecessary speculation regarding his personal life.” The accusations come shortly after Yoo was sentenced to four years in prison for drug abuse cases.
“We clarify that the allegations in the complaint are not true,” Park stated. The actor’s legal team maintains that the claims are unfounded and emphasizes the need for a fair and thorough investigation.
Under current South Korean law, same-sex rape cases are categorized as imitative rape, which carries a minimum sentence of two years imprisonment. The apartment where the incident allegedly occurred was not owned by either party, and other men were present at the scene, according to police statements.
Authorities are also probing whether Yoo Ah In, who is currently dealing with charges of habitual drug use, might have committed the alleged offense while under the influence of drugs. During a preliminary test conducted on Thursday, the complainant tested negative for any substances.
For context, Yoo Ah In is currently on trial for administering propofol 181 times between September 2020 and March 2022 and for illegally procuring sleeping pills under another person’s name between May 2021 and August 2022. The prosecution has demanded a four-year imprisonment sentence, a fine of 2 million KRW, and an additional restitution of around 1.5 million KRW.
Yoo’s defense team has requested leniency, citing his ongoing battles with depression and insomnia, and argued that his use of sedative medications was based on a psychiatrist’s recommendation for hospitalization.
Yoo Ah In is best known for his roles in the coming-of-age film “Punch” (2011), the drama series “Secret Affair” (2014), the action film “Veteran” (2015), and the historical film “The Throne” (2015). He gained international acclaim for his performance in the 2018 film “Burning,” which competed for the Palme d’Or at the Cannes Film Festival and was the first Korean film shortlisted for the Best Foreign Language Film award at the 91st Oscars.
A police official indicated that Yoo has not yet been contacted but will be summoned for questioning in the near future. The investigation remains active, with authorities exploring the possibility that Yoo might have been under the influence of drugs during the alleged incident.
