The Seoul Central District Prosecutor’s Office reportedly filed a warrant request on charges including defamation under the Information and Communication Network Law and alleged distribution of manipulated material under laws relating to punishment for sexual crimes, the Seoul Central District Prosecutor’s Office reported on May 21.
Kim Se-ui, the head of the controversial YouTube channel Garosero Research Institute, is accused of spreading false information by claiming that Kim Soo-hyun had an affair with Kim Sae-ron when she was a minor, as well as claiming that financial pressure from Kim Soo-hyun directly contributed to her death.
Prosecutors reportedly believe the claims were fabricated and defamatory.
The investigation also includes allegations that AI-generated technology was used to manipulate or fabricate audio recordings allegedly involving Kim Sae-ron.
Last May, Kim Se-ui held a press conference together with representatives of Kim Sae-ron’s family, during which recordings allegedly linked to the allegations were made public.
Kim Soo-hyun’s side strongly denied the allegations at the time, claiming that the recordings had been manipulated using artificial intelligence technology, and later filed legal complaints against Kim Se-ui for defamation and related charges.
The dispute quickly became one of the most talked about legal disputes in the Korean entertainment industry.
Kim Se-ui’s pre-arrest warrant hearing is scheduled for May 26 at the Seoul Central District Court.
The court will consider whether there are sufficient grounds for detention while the investigation continues.
The ongoing controversy has attracted widespread media attention due to the involvement of high-profile entertainment figures and growing concerns regarding the misuse of AI-generated content in celebrity scandals.
As the legal proceedings continue, public attention remains on the upcoming court hearing and whether prosecutors’ claims about the fabricated evidence are valid.
Sources: Nate News
