Actor Yoo Ah-in enters the Seoul Central District Court in Seocho District, Seoul, Wednesday. Yonhap

Actor Yoo Ah-in, 37, has denied allegations of sexually assaulting a 30-year-old man, saying the claims are unfounded.

Bang Jung-hyun, Yoo's legal representative, issued a statement regarding the lawsuit filed against Yoo on Friday.

"We clarify that the allegations in the complaint are not true," Bang said, requesting the public to "refrain from unnecessary speculation about Yoo's private life."

The Seoul Yongsan Police Station received a complaint against Yoo on Thursday.

The complainant alleges that Yoo sexually assaulted him while he was asleep in an "officetel" (multi-purpose building with residential and commercial units) on July 14.

Under current laws, same-sex sexual assault is classified as quasi-rape. The police have opened an investigation into Yoo, also examining the possibility that he committed the crime under the influence of drugs. It is reported that other men were present at the scene.

Yoo also faces allegations of habitual use of propofol and other substances under the guise of using them for cosmetic procedures between September 2020 to March 2022, totaling 181 instances in hospitals around Seoul.

Prosecutors have requested a four-year prison sentence and a fine of 2 million won ($1,600) for Yoo.

Yoo Ah-in attends the first trial continuation for drug use charges at the Seoul Central District Court in Seocho District, Seoul, Wednesday. Yonhap

This article from the Hankook Ilbo, sister publication of The Korea Times, is translated by generative AI and edited by staff of The Korea Times.