[Exclusive]Kim Soo-hyun, Kim Se-won's arrest followed by first trial in 10 days.. New phase in 10 billion won civil lawsuit

*This content was translated by AI.

With Kim Se-won, CEO of the research firm Garo-Sero Institute, arrested and transferred for spreading false information about actor Kim Soo-hyun, a civil lawsuit between Kim Soo-hyun and advertisers is set to resume next week. As Kim Soo-hyun faces a series of damage compensation lawsuits from advertisers, attention is focused on whether he can seize an opportunity for a turnaround at the first trial held after the arrest of Kim (CEO).

According to a StarNews investigation on the 5th, the 14th Civil Division of the Suwon District Court is scheduled to hold the third argument session on the 10th for a damage compensation lawsuit filed by health supplement company Prombio against Kim Soo-hyun and his agency Gold Medalist, seeking 3.96 billion won.

The lawsuit had been suspended for about eight months to await the outcome of related cases after the second argument session held on October 22 last year.

The court notified both parties of the argument session on the 27th, the day after Kim (CEO) was arrested on the 26th of last month. As the police expedited the investigation by transferring the case to the Prosecution Service just eight days after the arrest, it appears that the civil trial surrounding Kim Soo-hyun has also begun to move again.

In particular, this trial is drawing attention as the first civil trial held since the arrest of Kim (CEO). Focus is on whether Kim Soo-hyun's side can find a clue to restore his reputation.

Kim Soo-hyun is reported to have faced damage compensation lawsuits totaling over 10 billion won from companies including Prombio, Classis, Kukoo Electronics, and Trend Maker. This stems from allegations that Kim Soo-hyun dated the late actress Kim Sae-ron, who was a minor at the time, following the exposure by Kim (CEO).

However, with Kim (CEO) arrested and transferred, and doubts raised about the credibility of various materials he presented, attention is also focused on the legal judgment regarding Kim Soo-hyun's liability for compensation.

Meanwhile, Kim (CEO) was arrested and transferred on the 3rd on charges of violating the Act on Promotion of Information and Communications Network Utilization and Information Protection, etc. (defamation by posting false facts), the Special Act on the Punishment of Stalking Crimes, the Special Act on the Punishment of Sexual Violence Crimes, etc. (distribution of filmed materials using cameras, etc.), attempted coercion, and threats.

According to the police, Kim (CEO) is suspected of spreading recordings and other materials claiming that Kim Soo-hyun dated the late actress Kim Sae-ron, who was a minor, through YouTube broadcasts and other means from March to May last year, and that Kim Soo-hyun's side's debt repayment pressure was the direct cause of Kim Sae-ron's death. He is also suspected of fabricating false facts by manipulating the late Kim Sae-ron's voice using AI, thereby damaging Kim Soo-hyun's reputation.

The police believe that the KakaoTalk conversation contents presented by Kim (CEO) at a press conference last March, claiming that Kim Soo-hyun and the late Kim Sae-ron were in a relationship, were also fabricated.

In response, Gold Medalist issued an official statement on the 5th, saying, "We deeply thank those who have spoken out on behalf of Mr. Kim Soo-hyun for a long time while waiting for the procedures prescribed by law, even though they are not the direct parties to the case."

It further added, "We also express our gratitude to those who have worked hard to investigate the truth of the case directly, and to everyone who has joined us to ensure the true nature of the case is widely known."

It also stated, "In particular, we deeply thank the law enforcement authorities who have quietly fulfilled their responsibilities from behind the scenes, conducted investigations based solely on evidence and facts, and revealed the truth, as well as the judicial authorities who have made fair and impartial judgments regarding the suspect's custody." It continued, "Most of all, we sincerely thank all the fans who have supported and stood by Mr. Kim Soo-hyun for a long time. The faith and support of our fans have been a great strength even during difficult times."

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*This content was translated by AI.