Cho Jin-woong. Yonhap News

Actor Cho Jin-woong, embroiled in the "juvenile offender controversy," has officially announced his retirement.

Through his agency Saram Entertainment, Cho Jin-woong released a statement on the 6th, saying, "I bow my head and apologize to all those who believed in and supported me for the disappointment caused by my past regrettable actions. I humbly accept all these criticisms and will cease all activities as of today, bringing an end to my career as an actor."

Regarding his decision to retire, Cho Jin-woong added, "I believe this is the just responsibility and duty I must bear for my past mistakes. I will do my best to reflect and become a person who can stand tall on my own."

The previous day, entertainment media Dispatch reported allegations based on a tip that Cho Jin-woong had committed car theft and sexual assault crimes during his high school years and spent time in a juvenile detention center. The report also included allegations of assault and drunk driving after his acting debut.

In response, his agency issued an official statement: "We have confirmed with the actor that he had engaged in wrongful behavior during his minor years."

However, they clarified, "We explicitly state that he is not involved in any sexual assault-related acts."

Nevertheless, the agency did not specify which parts of the allegations were true, avoiding further comment by stating, "It is difficult to fully grasp the circumstances after more than 30 years have passed."

Cho Jin-woong entered the film industry in 2004 with 'The Cruel Street' and has since been active in leading and supporting roles in films such as 'A Dirty Carnival' (2006), 'Nameless Gangster: Rules of the Time' (2012), 'The Admiral: Roaring Currents' (2014), and 'Believer' (2018).

He also appeared in the highly popular tvN drama 'Signal' in 2016, and its sequel, 'Signal 2,' where he reunited with the main cast, has finished filming and is scheduled for release next year. It appears inevitable that this controversy and Cho Jin-woong's retirement decision will cause disruptions.

SBS Special documentary 'The War of Crime,' for which Cho Jin-woong provided narration, has had its narrator replaced and re-recorded from the episode scheduled for broadcast on the 7th, and the first part already aired will also be modified.