This article is part of our coverage of Kim Soo Hyun And Kim Sae Ron's Relationship. You can read more and view the entire timeline here.
Amid the indictment and arrest of Garosero Research Institute representative Kim Se Ui on charges of spreading false information alleging that actor Kim Soo Hyun dated the late Kim Sae Ron when she was a minor, the actress’ mother was also sent to the prosecution on the same charges.
On October 26th, Kim Soo Hyun’s agency Gold Medalist stated, “The accomplices involved in a series of crimes, including spreading false information together with Kim Se Ui, have been acknowledged for their criminal charges. Among the accomplices sent to prosecution this time are the deceased’s mother and a person impersonating the deceased’s aunt.”
According to the investigation report from the Seoul Gangnam Police Station, the deceased’s mother, A, and B, who impersonated the deceased’s aunt, were charged with violations of the Act on Promotion of Information and Communications Network Utilization and Information Protection (defamation by spreading false information), the Special Act on the Punishment of Sexual Violence Crimes (distribution of footage taken by camera), and attempted coercion. The deceased’s father was not prosecuted.
The agency further explained, “A separate police investigation was conducted on accomplices who were not initially included as suspects. The attorney Bu Ji Seok, representing the bereaved family, who led two press conferences using verified false and fabricated materials (KakaoTalk forgery and AI voice manipulation), and Kwon Young Chan, operator of the YouTube channel Kwon Young Chan TV, were also found guilty of criminal charges and sent to prosecution.”
Attorney Bu Ji Seok was referred to the prosecution on charges of defamation under criminal law and violation of the Act on Promotion of Information and Communications Network Utilization and Information Protection (defamation by spreading false information). Kwon Young Chan was sent for prosecution on charges under the Special Act on the Punishment of Sexual Violence Crimes (distribution of footage taken by camera).
The agency expressed deep gratitude to the investigative authorities for thoroughly verifying the facts with extensive materials and objective evidence to reveal the facts of the crime and the participants.
Since March last year, Kim Se Ui has continuously claimed through YouTube broadcasts that Kim Soo Hyun dated the late Kim Sae Ron when she was a minor and that he was responsible for her death. He also held press conferences on behalf of the bereaved family and released audio recordings allegedly of the late Kim Sae Ron’s voice and materials claimed to be KakaoTalk conversations with Kim Soo Hyun.
However, the investigative authorities determined that the voice recordings released by Kim Se Ui were manipulated files generated by generative artificial intelligence (AI) and that the KakaoTalk conversation content between Kim Soo Hyun and the late Kim Sae Ron was also fabricated. Kim Se Ui was arrested in May on charges of spreading false information about Kim Soo Hyun.