According to a report by Yonhap News on December 15, South Korea’s National Forensic Service (NFS) informed Seoul’s Gangnam Police Station last month that it could not make a definitive judgment regarding AI fabrication in the controversial audio file released by the YouTube channel Garo Sero Institute.
The forensic agency reportedly explained that the audio submitted for analysis was not the original file and contained significant background noise, making technical verification of its authenticity impossible.
In response, Kim Soo-hyun’s legal representative, attorney Go Sang-rok, shared his perspective on December 16 via his YouTube channel “Jingeok-ui Gobeon.”
Go Sang-rok explained that the police had submitted an edited 50-minute recording to the NFS for analysis, but the original file was not available. The NFS only examined the recording from a purely technical standpoint, analyzing the audio signals without considering the content or context. As a result, they concluded that it was technically impossible to determine manipulation.
“Separately from the NFS technical results, the investigation team will review inconsistencies in the recording, context, related testimonies, and objective materials to make a substantive judgment on potential manipulation,” Go Sang-rok said.
Attorney Go also expressed frustration over media leaks, noting that the NFS findings were sensitive police investigation material managed with the highest level of confidentiality by the Seoul Police Agency. He criticized the manner in which details were leaked and reported as exclusive news before an official announcement.
“It is difficult to accept that such sensitive information was disclosed externally. If there was a need to inform the public, it should have been done through an official, accurate statement rather than a leak,” he said.
Go Sang-rok further emphasized the seriousness of the situation, suggesting that publicly releasing the full 50-minute recording might have been a better approach.
“It may sound absurd, but personally, I would rather have the full recording aired so everyone can judge whether the conversation sounds natural. Just because the NFS could not make a technical judgment doesn’t mean the public cannot make a common-sense assessment,” he added.
The recording first drew public attention in May, when Garo Sero Institute operator Kim Se-ui held a press conference alongside Kim Sae-ron’s bereaved family. During the event, he released an audio file claimed to contain a conversation suggesting that Kim Soo-hyun had been in a relationship with Kim Sae-ron since she was a minor.
In response, Kim Soo-hyun’s side strongly denied the allegations, stating that “the recording was fabricated using AI technology,” and subsequently filed a criminal complaint against Kim Se-ui on charges including defamation.
Despite the NFS’s inconclusive findings, police have not ruled out the possibility of manipulation and are continuing their investigation. Authorities are expected to decide soon whether Kim Se-ui will be referred to prosecutors.
The case remains sensitive, drawing widespread public attention due to the serious nature of the allegations and the involvement of high-profile figures within the Korean entertainment industry.
Sources: Yonhap News,Ilgan Sports
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