After nearly 10 months of ongoing legal conflict involving Kim Soo Hyun, the first official ruling has been delivered by the investigation authorities. Seoul’s Gangnam Police Station has decided not to pursue charges (no indictment) in the defamation case filed by Garo Sero Institute against Kim Soo Hyun’s fandom.

The dispute stems from a protest organized in May of last year by Kim Soo Hyun’s “Korea and Global Fan Union,” who staged a “fact truck” demonstration outside a Garo Sero Institute press conference. Using a large LED screen mounted on a truck, the fan union voiced suspicions regarding the allegations made by Garo Sero Institute and the late Kim Sae Ron’s family.

Garo Sero Institute’s representative Kim Se Ui singled out two statements from the protest, claiming defamation: first, the allegation that Garo Sero Institute was refusing forensic investigation of the late Kim Sae Ron’s devices (phone, laptop, and tablet), and second, the claim that Garo Sero Institute was engaging in coercive public opinion manipulation and stalking directed at Kim Soo Hyun. He asserted both were false and damaging.

However, the police concluded that these accusations did not meet the threshold of criminal defamation, effectively clearing the fan group of wrongdoing.

This decision is the first official investigative outcome stemming from the highly publicized “Kim Soo Hyun situation,” which has sparked a string of lawsuits and countersuits since March 2025.

The fan union welcomed the result, stating that it confirms their claims were not criminally false and should not be grounds for defamation.

Meanwhile, Kim Se Ui remains under legal pressure, as Kim Soo Hyun’s side has sued him and the Kim Sae Ron family for violations of the Anti-Stalking Act and the Information and Communications Network Act. A separate civil suit worth 12 billion KRW has also been filed, with asset freezes on Kim Se Ui’s property and accounts already granted. The legal battle continues, with both sides filing lawsuits against each other, pointing to a prolonged dispute.

Sources: Naver