Kim Se-ui, the representative of the YouTube channel Garosero Research Institute who allegedly spread false rumors damaging the reputation of South Korean star Kim Soo-hyun, is scheduled to appear in court for trial next Wednesday (Nov. 11). This will be the first stage of substantive hearings after preliminary procedures in the case were completed. Yonhap News reported that Kim Soo-hyun himself will appear in court as a witness, but the questioning will be conducted behind closed doors.
According to the indictment by the Seoul Central District Prosecutors’ Office, Kim Se-ui last year spread false information through the YouTube program Garosero Research Institute and press conferences, claiming that Kim Soo-hyun dated late actress Kim Sae-ron while she was still a minor, that the relationship lasted about 6 years, and even asserting that Kim Sae-ron’s death was related to Kim Soo-hyun’s side pressuring her to repay a massive debt.
In addition, investigators found that Kim Se-ui is suspected of using edited KakaoTalk conversation records, generative AI technology to impersonate Kim Sae-ron’s voice, and publicly revealing Kim Soo-hyun’s private photos without consent, as well as threatening him with further revelations about his private life.
In June this year, the Seoul Central District Court ordered Kim Se-ui to be detained and indicted, but he has consistently denied all charges and previously filed for bail with the court.
Meanwhile, Kim Soo-hyun has continued to protect his rights through legal channels. In September this year, he filed an injunction with the court, demanding that Kim Se-ui delete 45 videos containing false statements on the Garosero Research Institute channel and prohibiting him from continuing to publish related content.
However, when Civil Division 51 of the Seoul Central District Court held a hearing this Wednesday (Nov. 4), it asked Kim Soo-hyun’s side to clearly define the scope of the video deletions, and stated that the injunction’s demands would need to be appropriately narrowed.
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