Police Arrest Yoo Ah In on Sexual Assault Charges
The renowned actor Yoo Ah In is once again at the center of a scandal. On July 25, 2024, the Seoul Yongsan Police Station announced his arrest following sexual assault allegations made by a 30-year-old man, referred to as A.
According to reports from The Chosun Ilbo, A was in a deep sleep from 6:00 to 16:00 KST on July 14 in an officetel located in Yongsan-gu. Upon waking, A found himself being sexually assaulted by Yoo Ah In. The next day, A reported the incident to the police.
The officetel in question is not the residence of either Yoo Ah In or A but belongs to a third party. At the time of the incident, several other men were present at the location. Despite an initial drug test on A yielding negative results, the police suspect Yoo Ah In might have been under the influence of drugs, although this is still under investigation.
Yoo Ah In’s Legal Team Denies Allegations
Yoo Ah In in Goodbye Earth (doc. Netflix/Goodbye Earth)
In response to the allegations, Yoo Ah In’s lawyer, representing Dongjin Law Firm, issued a statement on July 26, vehemently denying the charges. The lawyer emphasized the falseness of the accusations and urged the public to refrain from unnecessary speculations regarding the actor’s personal life.
Reports from Allkpop highlight that under South Korean law, sexual assault involving the same sex can be treated as rape. This new scandal, emerging amidst ongoing drug abuse trials, could further tarnish Yoo Ah In’s reputation and career.
Ongoing Legal Troubles for Yoo Ah In
Yoo Ah In in Goodbye Earth (doc. Netflix/Goodbye Earth)
Yoo Ah In’s legal woes don’t end with the recent sexual assault allegations. He is currently undergoing several trials related to drug abuse. Since February 2023, he has been a suspect in a case involving the use of propofol 181 times between September 2020 and March 2022. Additional allegations suggest he illegally purchased sleeping pills using another person’s identity from May 2021 to August 2022.
On July 24, during a hearing at the Seoul Central Court, prosecutors requested a sentence of four years in prison, a fine of 2 million won, and an additional fine of approximately 1.5 million won. Yoo Ah In’s defense team argued for leniency, citing his struggles with depression, anxiety disorders, and insomnia. They revealed that a psychiatrist had advised him to undergo intensive care and prescribed sedatives.
