[Exclusive]"Forced Apology and Privacy Blackmail"... Kim Se-hee's Defamation Trial Against Kim Soo-hyun Postponed to August [Comprehensive]

*This content was translated by AI.

The operator of the channel "Garo-Sero Research Institute" (hereinafter Garo-Sero), Kim Se-ui (CEO), has postponed the first trial on charges including defamation against actor Kim Soo-hyun to August.

According to StarNews, Seoul Central District Court's Criminal Division 14 had planned to hold the first trial for Kim Se-ui (CEO)'s violation of the Information and Communications Network Act (defamation) and other charges on the 24th but has postponed it. The court accepted a request from Kim Se-hee's side to postpone the hearing, ultimately rescheduling it to August 14.

The Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office, 2nd Division for Investigation of Women and Children Crimes (Chief Prosecutor Park Ji-na), indicted Kim Se-ui (CEO) on charges including violation of the Information and Communications Network Act (defamation), violation of the Special Act on Punishment of Sexual Violence (distribution of recordings made using cameras, etc.), and violation of the Stalking Punishment Act.

From March to May 2025, Kim Se-ui (CEO) was charged with spreading false information through YouTube live broadcasts and press conferences claiming that the late Kim Sae-ron had been in a relationship with adult Kim Soo-hyun for about six years since she was 15 years old as a minor, and that the direct cause of her death was pressure from Kim Soo-hyun to repay debts. Additionally, Kim Se-ui (CEO) was charged with fabricating false information using generative artificial intelligence (AI) to manipulate the late Kim Sae-ron's voice, thereby damaging Kim Soo-hyun's reputation.

The court conducted a pre-trial investigation hearing for Kim Se-hee on May 26 and issued an arrest warrant citing concerns over evidence destruction and flight risk.

At that time, police stated in the arrest warrant application that "Kim Se-ui (CEO) was well aware that there is no fact that Kim Soo-hyun had a relationship with the late Kim Sae-ron during her minor years and that Kim Soo-hyun was not the cause of Kim Sae-ron's death, yet distributed false facts for the purpose of defamation." It also reported that "on May 7, 2025, at a press conference, Kim Se-ui (CEO) played an AI-manipulated audio file of the late person and stated false facts to the effect that 'the late Kim Sae-ron had been in a relationship with Kim Soo-hyun since middle school and first had sexual relations during the winter break of her second year of middle school'."

Subsequently, Kim Se-ui (CEO) requested a review of the appropriateness of detention, but the court rejected the request, stating there was "no reason for the request."

Meanwhile, the Prosecutors' Office stated in the indictment that Kim Se-ui (CEO) threatened to distribute materials related to Kim Soo-hyun during YouTube live broadcasts. It further alleged that Kim Se-ui (CEO) broadcast 25 instances of false information on YouTube, including remarks such as "Kim Soo-hyun has been dating since Kim Sae-ron was in her second year of middle school," with the intent to slander Kim Soo-hyun and damage his reputation by revealing falsehoods.

Additionally, the indictment noted that Kim Se-ui (CEO) publicly released photos exposing Kim Soo-hyun's lower body and stated, "There are other photos besides this. I will gradually reveal Kim Soo-hyun's shameless behavior," threatening to continuously release photos related to his private life if he did not publicly apologize. The charges also include forcing Kim Soo-hyun to admit to the relationship with the late Kim Sae-ron and issue an apology.

Furthermore, it was noted that Kim Se-ui (CEO) threatened Kim Soo-hyun's side by saying, "I hope you know that if a production company files for 120 billion won or 180 billion won in damages against Kim Soo-hyun," implying that materials related to the drama featuring Kim Soo-hyun would be distributed upon its release.

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*This content was translated by AI.