Actor Yoo Ah-in cleared of rape accusations as police cite lack of evidence

The Yongsan Police Precinct said Thursday that it has dismissed the case against actor Yoo Ah-in, 37, who was accused of allegedly raping a man in his 30s.

Actor Yoo Ah-in attends the court ruling at Seoul Central District Court, Songpa, southern Seoul on Sept. 3. [JOINT PRESS CORPS]

The Yongsan Police Precinct said Thursday that it has dismissed the case against actor Yoo Ah-in, 37, who was accused of allegedly raping a man in his 30s.

The decision was made due to a "lack of evidence," according to police.

Yoo was investigated on Aug. 28 for allegedly raping the man while he was asleep at a studio apartment in Yongsan District, central Seoul, on July 14. The alleged victim was questioned as a complainant on July 25, about a month after the incident.

Under current laws, same-sex rape cases are categorized as "imitative rape," which carries a minimum sentence of two years in prison.

The apartment in question was not owned by either party, and other men were present at the scene.

Yoo's lawyer, Bang Jung-hyun, denied the allegations, asserting that the claims in the complaint were “not true” and urged the public to avoid unnecessary speculation about Yoo’s personal life.

Yoo is currently in custody for violating the Narcotics Control Act after an 11-month trial. On Sept. 3, the Seoul Central District Court sentenced him to one year in prison, fined him 2 million won ($1,940) and ordered him to forfeit 1.54 million won.

BY KIM MIN-YOUNG [kim.minyoung5@joongang.co.kr]