New developments surrounding the controversy involving Kim Soo-hyun and the late Kim Sae-ron have sparked major attention in South Korea after police reportedly concluded that allegations claiming the actor dated Kim Sae-ron while she was still a minor were false.
According to documents related to an arrest warrant request filed by the Gangnam Police Station in Seoul against Kim Se-ui, authorities stated that false information about Kim Soo-hyun had allegedly been spread for financial gain, including revenue generated through YouTube content.
Police reportedly wrote in the request that the suspect “clearly knew Kim Soo-hyun did not date the deceased actress while she was underage” but still distributed false claims with the intention of defaming the actor.
The investigation further concluded that KakaoTalk messages previously released by Kim Se-ui as alleged evidence of a relationship had been manipulated. Authorities stated that after receiving screenshots of conversations between Kim Sae-ron and an unidentified account from 2016, multiple details were allegedly altered, including changing the account name to “Kim Soo-hyun.”
Police also claimed the suspect knowingly uploaded edited materials despite being unable to verify the identity of the original conversation participant.
In addition, an audio recording allegedly featuring Kim Sae-ron, which was previously released by Garo Sero Institute, was reportedly determined to be AI-generated and fabricated.
Authorities also revealed that a lawyer representing Kim Sae-ron’s bereaved family has been booked as part of the investigation. Police alleged that the lawyer not only supplied materials connected to the accusations but also participated in distributing and exaggerating false claims in an organized manner.
Responding to the latest developments, Kim Soo-hyun’s legal representative, attorney Go Sang-rok, stated on social media that the actor’s side did not personally file a complaint against the lawyer. However, he suggested investigators independently identified possible accomplice involvement during the investigation process.
Police emphasized the severe impact the controversy allegedly had on Kim Soo-hyun’s life and career, stating that the situation damaged his professional activities, economic stability, and mental health. Authorities reportedly warned that continued dissemination of false information could cause irreversible harm.
Meanwhile, Kim Se-ui denied wrongdoing and argued that prosecutors seeking an arrest warrant was an attempt to suppress his journalistic activities.
On May 20, the Seoul Central District Prosecutors’ Office officially requested an arrest warrant for Kim Se-ui on charges related to violations of South Korea’s sexual violence punishment laws involving the distribution of illegal images.
A court hearing reviewing the validity of the arrest warrant is scheduled to take place on May 26 at the Seoul Central District Court under Chief Judge Boo Dong-sik.
Sources: Netizenbuzz
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