Actor Choi Min-soo, who recently played a prosecutor on television, refused to accept the Golden Acting Award at Tuesday’s 2014 MBC Drama Awards, in a symbolic gesture over last year’s Sewol ferry sinking.
The "Pride and Prejudice" actor did not attend the award ceremony, but asked co-star Baek Jin-hee to deliver a speech on his behalf.
The speech ended with a reference to the Sewol ferry disaster, apparently criticizing prosecutors for not punishing those involved in the incident harshly enough.
“This is Moon Hee-man from the Public Security team," Choi wrote in his speech, taking on the voice of his character in the drama. "I am currently living as a prosecutor who executes the law; however I would only be able to accept this award if I had done anything to deserve it.
“I am sorry to say that I reject this award," he continued.
"This is the least I can do for the hope that is still trapped inside the freezing waters, in times of failing truth and conscience."
The speech was edited to omit the reference to the disaster.
Online entertainment newspaper Star News revealed the original copy of the speech Thursday.
Yoo Dae-gyun, the eldest son of the late Yoo Byung-eun, the de facto owner of Chonghaejin Marine that operated the Sewol, was sentenced to three years in prison in November.
The sentence was lighter than the four years imprisonment the prosecution had earlier demanded.