Kim Se Ui, the head of YouTube channel Garo Sero Institute, who was recently arrested on defamation charges against actor Kim Soo Hyun, is now in danger of losing control of the company. Already saddled with an astronomical damages lawsuit from Kim Soo Hyun, Kim now appears to be cornered on multiple fronts, with even his position at the Garo Sero Institute in jeopardy.
According to a report from Hankook Ilbo on June 15, YouTuber Eun Hyun Jang, operator of the God of Business channel, recently filed an application with the court seeking the appointment of a temporary director with representative authority for Garo Sero Institute Co., Ltd.
Eun secured a 50% stake in the company amid an ongoing dispute with the Garo Sero Institute, which had previously leveled various allegations against him. Since then, an intense management battle has reportedly continued, including calling an extraordinary shareholders’ meeting and reducing Kim Se Ui’s executive compensation to zero.
According to documents obtained by Hankook Ilbo, Kim Se Ui was appointed CEO in July 2021, but his three-year term under the company statute was set to expire in July 2024. With the resignations of other internal directors, Kim is said to currently serve in the legally unsettled position of a “retired director” performing duties on a temporary basis.
Notably, Eun’s side cited Kim Se Ui’s detention as one of the main reasons for requesting an appointment as temporary director. They argued that Kim is unable to carry out normal executive duties after being arrested on charges related to broadcasts involving Kim Soo Hyun, including defamation under the Information and Communications Network Act, violations of sexual violence laws, violations of the stalking law, intimidation and attempted coercion.
If the court approves the request for a temporary director, Kim Se Ui would effectively resign as CEO, pushing the controversy over the management of the Garo Sero Institute into a whole new phase.
As Kim faces both legal problems and a management crisis, attention is also turning to the potentially huge damages lawsuit being prepared by Kim Soo Hyun’s legal team.
On June 1, lawyer Go Sang Rok, Kim Soo Hyun’s legal representative, appeared on YTN Radio’s Wise Radio Life and stressed, “Criminal punishment for serious cybercrimes is important, but obtaining strict legal judgment through civil damage claims is equally crucial.”
Lawyer Go also revealed that Kim Soo Hyun’s side is actively looking into plans to expand the damages claim from the originally estimated ₩12 billion up to ₩30 billion.
Sources: Nate
