Lawyer Kim Soo-hyun: "Allegations of late Kim Sae-ron's underage dating and sexual abuse cannot be upheld" [Star Issue]

*This content was translated by AI.

While police have decided not to prosecute actor Kim Soo-hyun for violations of the Child Welfare Act and other charges, Kim's side stated regarding allegations of dating a minor with late Kim Sae-ron that "the official legal conclusion by law enforcement authorities has already been reached" and "there will be no further judgments on guilt or innocence."

On the 29th, Seoul Seongdong Police Station decided not to prosecute Kim Soo-hyun, who was charged with violating the Child Welfare Act (child abuse) and other offenses, citing insufficient evidence.

It is reported that police concluded it was difficult to substantiate the allegations after comprehensively reviewing submitted materials and factual circumstances regarding claims that actor late Kim Sae-ron dated Kim Soo-hyun during her minor years.

In response, Kim Soo-hyun's legal representative, lawyer Ko Sang-rok, told StarNews: "Under the Child Welfare Act, a 'child' refers to anyone under 18 years of age." He explained, "In this case, investigators examined whether it is true that late Kim Sae-ron dated Kim Soo-hyun during her third year of high school when she was 19 by Korean age, including the period before she turned 18 in international age, and whether any acts violating the Child Welfare Act, such as sexual or emotional abuse, occurred during this relationship."

He further emphasized: "This investigation did not limit itself to only certain periods of the deceased's childhood. It covered all allegations raised, including her third year of high school, which is commonly recognized as a minor period."

Additionally, he stated: "Police concluded that after investigating not only the claims and materials submitted by the opposing party but also the relationship and relevant factual circumstances at the time, they could not find grounds to uphold charges against Kim Soo-hyun for violating the Child Welfare Act. The decision not to prosecute does not mean reserving judgment or awaiting future court outcomes. It is a disposition where law enforcement authorities determined that no crime was established regarding these allegations and thus concluded the investigation without forwarding the case to the Prosecution Service."

Previously, in May last year, late Kim Sae-ron's family members and the Horizontal and Vertical Research Institute Kim Se-ui (CEO) filed a criminal complaint against Kim Soo-hyun with police for violating the Child Welfare Act and making false accusations, claiming that he dated her when she was a minor.

The family side alleged that "Kim Soo-hyun forced late Kim Sae-ron to engage in obscene acts or committed sexual abuse such as sexual harassment starting from the winter break of her second year of middle school when she was a minor," but police issued a 'no grounds for prosecution' decision due to insufficient evidence.

Regarding this, lawyer Ko also stated: "The official conclusion reached by law enforcement authorities is now clear." He added: "Allegations that Kim Soo-hyun dated the deceased during her childhood or committed acts violating the Child Welfare Act, such as sexual abuse, have not been upheld."

Lawyer Ko drew a clear line stating that the criminal trial of Kim Se-ui (CEO), who was arrested on charges including spreading false information in connection with this case, is a separate proceeding.

Since March last year, Kim Se-ui (CEO) has consistently claimed via YouTube broadcasts and other platforms that Kim Soo-hyun dated late Kim Sae-ron when she was a minor and bore responsibility for her death. He also held a press conference on behalf of the family side, releasing audio recordings allegedly made by late Kim Sae-ron and materials purported to be KakaoTalk conversations with Kim Soo-hyun.

However, investigative authorities determined that the audio recording files released by Kim Se-e were fabricated using generative artificial intelligence (AI), and concluded that the alleged KakaoTalk conversation content between Kim Soo-hyun and late Kim Sae-ron was also manipulated.

Lawyer Ko stated: "The upcoming criminal trials for Kim Se-e and related individuals are not proceedings to determine whether Kim Soo-hyun violated the Child Welfare Act." He explained, "These trials will assess whether they spread false information or used fabricated materials, and what crimes were committed in the process. This is not a retrial to re-examine allegations regarding Kim Soo-hyun's minor status, nor is it a follow-up or appellate review of his Child Welfare Act case. It is also not a procedure to newly determine his guilt or innocence."

Lawyer Ko further clarified: "The opinion that 'judgment on allegations concerning Kim Soo-hyun's minor status should be reserved until the first-instance trial for Kim Se-e concludes' stems from a legal misunderstanding of treating two legally independent cases involving different parties, charges, and procedures as a single continuous judgment process." He added: "Allegations regarding Kim Soo-hyun's minor status are not unresolved legal matters awaiting future court conclusions. These allegations have already been concluded through an independent investigation with a 'no grounds for prosecution' decision."

Finally, lawyer Ko emphasized: "The subject of future trials is not whether Kim Soo-hyun violated the Child Welfare Act, but rather the actions and criminal liability of Kim Se-e and related individuals in spreading and disseminating these allegations. Therefore, there is no legal basis to wait for the first-instance trial results regarding Kim Se-e and related parties concerning allegations about Kim Soo-hyun's minor status. The trials against Kim Se-e and related individuals are not trials against Kim Soo-hyun. There will be no further judgments on guilt or innocence regarding allegations about Kim Soo-hyun's minor status in those proceedings. The official legal conclusion by law enforcement authorities regarding Kim Soo-hyun has already been reached."

Meanwhile, Kim Se-ui (CEO) was arrested last May on charges including spreading false information about Kim Soo-hyun. He is set to face his first trial in August.

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*This content was translated by AI.