The World Web Times - worldwebtimes.com

Seoul — South Korea’s “Squid Game” actor O Yeong-su has been found guilty of sexual misconduct, a local court said Friday, after he was charged with assaulting a woman in 2017.

The 79-year-old in 2022 became the first South Korean to win a Golden Globe Award for best supporting actor in a series for his performance as a seemingly vulnerable old man in the mega-hit Netflix dystopian thriller.

The actor was sentenced to eight months in prison, suspended for two years, the Seongnam Branch of the Suwon District Court told AFP.

He has been also ordered to complete 40 hours of classes on sexual violence, the court added.

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.

The incidents took place when O was staying in a rural area for a theatre performance in 2017, on a walking path and in front of the victim’s residence, respectively, according to the Suwon District Court.

“Squid Game,” a series that depicts a dark world where marginalized individuals are forced to compete in deadly versions of traditional children’s games, quickly gained immense popularity on Netflix.

Within less than four weeks of its release in 2021, it attracted a staggering 111 million viewers.

The show’s success has amplified South Korea’s increasingly outsized influence on global popular culture, following global fame won by the likes of K-pop band BTS and the Oscar-winning film “Parasite.”

Multiple figures in South Korea’s film industry — including late filmmaker Kim Ki-duk and actor Cho Jae-hyun — have faced sexual assault allegations.

Ukraine-Russia war live: Zelensky condemns ‘evil’ Putin missile attacks on his hometown  MSN

For lasting peace in Europe, Ukraine must return its territories within internationally recognised borders, including Crimea.

France ‘ready’ to ensure Russia ‘never’ wins Ukraine war  The Local France

Artificial Intelligence, Human Rights, Democracy and the Rule of Law Framework Convention  Council of Europe

Woman speaks to her dead mother using Artificial Intelligence; says it helped her move on  Business Today

On the evening of 15 March, the Russians shelled Nikopol with artillery once again. In Zaporizhzhia region, the enemy struck 274 times in the last 24 hours.

Over the past day, 76 combat engagements took place. In total, the enemy launched 16 missile and 130 air strikes, and fired 65 times from multiple launch rocket systems at Ukrainian troops’ positions and localities.

French President Emmanuel Macron responded to Russian dictator Vladimir Putin’s “nuclear” threats.