During a National Assembly hearing on October 30, YouTuber Eun Hyun-jang, known for his channel “Master of Business” (장사의 신), testified to denounce the destructive actions of cybercriminals and called for stricter laws to combat online defamation and fabricated evidence.
Eun Hyun-jang revealed that he has been the target of false accusations by Kim Se-ui, head of the Garosero Research Institute, since January 2024.
“For a year, Kim Se-ui spread lies that I considered myself a Chinese agent, a swindler and involved in stock manipulation,” Eun Hyun-jang said. “Due to these baseless attacks, my company, which once made ₩10 billion in annual sales, went bankrupt. I had to lay off employees, and partner companies also collapsed.”
He explained that these YouTube “racers” don’t care about truth or evidence. “They only care about clicks and money. Lies that get attention become revenue.”
Eun Hyun-jang’s testimony became even more explosive when she directly accused Kim Se-ui of fabricating evidence in the high-profile case involving actor Kim Soo-hyun.
“Kim Se-ui held three so-called ‘press conferences’ in which he presented fake evidence, fabricated KakaoTalk messages, manipulated photos and even AI-generated audio clips,” Eun Hyun-jang said. “Because of these lies, Kim Soo-hyun’s reputation has been destroyed. He has lost support and is still fighting lawsuits with advertisers.”
Eun Hyun-jang pointed out that her team and her fellow YouTubers discovered the falsity of the “evidence”, stating: “These are investigations that the state should do, but private citizens like us are the ones who prove the truth.”
Addressing the Committee on Science, Technology, Broadcasting and Communications, Eun Hyun-jang urged lawmakers to introduce punitive damages for creators who deliberately spread false information online.
“I saw their financial records after they bought 50% of one of Kim Se-ui’s companies, they were raising billions from YouTube and endorsements,” Eun Hyun-jang revealed. “Yet, even if caught, they pay a fine of ₩300,000. Who wouldn’t continue to do so? That’s why we need punitive damages.”
He also criticized the slow pace of the Korean justice system in dealing with defamation cases, saying it takes nearly three years to determine guilt long after reputations and livelihoods have already been destroyed.
Eun Hyun-jang also raised the alarm about the rise of AI-based defamation, in which altered voices and images are used to fabricate content.
“To fight cyber criminals, it is necessary to use the US discovery system and hire both Korean and foreign lawyers. The cost is at least ₩200 million per case,” he lamented. “How can an average person fight this kind of injustice?”
He concluded his statement with a plea: “People decide someone’s guilt in 10 seconds after watching a short clip. Please wait for the truth. Your judgment can destroy a person’s life.”
Committee Chair Choi Min-hee acknowledged Eun Hyun-jang’s testimony and referred to the pending “Anti-falsification of Information Law,” saying it is in line with her proposal, widely dubbed the “Garo Sero Institutions Prevention Law.”
Eun Hyun-jang agrees, emphasizing once again, “Only punitive damages laws can stop cybercriminals. Without real consequences, more people will suffer like me and Kim Soo-hyun.”
This explosive testimony has reignited public debate about YouTube misinformation, AI abuses, and the lack of accountability in Korea’s online media environment. The National Assembly is now under pressure to strengthen legal oversight of digital platforms, a move that could reshape the landscape of Korea’s cyber defamation laws in 2026.
Sources: Nate News
