[Exclusive]Kim Soo-hyun shows signs of returning to Korea.. Prosecution Service concludes 'late Kim Sae-ron grooming' allegations with 'no grounds for prosecution' [Comprehensive]

*This content was translated by AI.

The criminal complaint filed by the family of the late actor Kim Sae-ron and Kim Se-ui (CEO) against actor Kim Soo-hyun, alleging violations of the Child Welfare Act and false accusations, has effectively been concluded. Following the police's decision not to transfer the case due to insufficient evidence, the Prosecution Service also returned the case files to the police without requesting a reinvestigation or supplementary investigation. With the investigative procedures regarding the so-called 'late Kim Sae-ron grooming' allegations surrounding Kim Soo-hyun now finalized, evaluations suggest that green lights have been given for his potential resumption of domestic activities.

According to StarNews' investigation on the 7th, the Prosecution Service returned the case files related to the complaint filed against Kim Soo-hyun on charges of violating the Child Welfare Act and making false accusations on the 3rd. This occurred approximately one month after the police decided not to transfer the case on July 29 and submitted the case files to the Prosecution Service.

As the Prosecution Service reviewed the files and returned them without requesting supplementary or reinvestigation from the police, the police's decision not to transfer the case remains in effect. Consequently, the investigative procedures that continued for approximately one year and four months since the complaint was filed have effectively concluded. Although the complainant side may still file an objection, it is currently considered that law enforcement authorities have finalized their handling of the case. Legal experts indicate a low probability that any objections raised after the return of the files will be accepted.

Previously, the family of the late Kim Sae-ron claimed in May last year that Kim Soo-hyun had dated the late Kim Sae-ron when she was a minor and engaged in so-called 'grooming' (conditioning), filing a criminal complaint against him for violating the Child Welfare Act (including child abuse, coercion of sexual acts against children, intermediation, sexual harassment, etc.). Kim Se-ui (CEO), which has consistently raised related allegations surrounding Kim Soo-hyun, also filed a false accusation complaint against Kim Soo-hyun, who had previously sued them for defamation.

At the time, the family claimed that "Kim Soo-hyun forced the late Kim Sae-ron to engage in obscene acts or committed sexual harassment and other forms of sexual abuse starting from the winter break of her second year of middle school when she was a minor."

However, Seoul Seongdong Police Station, which investigated the case, decided not to transfer Kim Soo-hyun on charges including violation of the Child Welfare Act and false accusations on July 29 due to insufficient evidence. After comprehensively reviewing submitted materials and factual circumstances regarding the allegations, the police determined that it was difficult to recognize the charges.

Kim Soo-hyun's legal representative, lawyer Ko Sang-rok, told StarNews: "Under the Child Welfare Act, 'child' refers to a person under 18 years of age." He explained, "In this case, we investigated whether Kim Soo-hyun dated the late Kim Sae-ron during her third year of high school when she was 19 in Korean age but before turning 18, and whether any acts violating the Child Welfare Act, such as sexual or emotional abuse, occurred during that process."

He continued: "This was not a limited investigation into only part of the deceased's childhood. The entire range of allegations raised was investigated, including her third year of high school, which is commonly perceived as a period of minority. As a result of investigating the claims and materials submitted by the opposing party, as well as the relationship and relevant factual circumstances at the time, the police determined that they could not recognize charges of violating the Child Welfare Act against Kim Soo-hyun."

The allegations surrounding Kim Soo-hyun began to spread in earnest in March last year when Kim Se-ui (CEO) raised related claims through YouTube broadcasts and other platforms.

Kim Se-ui (CEO) has consistently claimed that Kim Soo-hyun dated the late Kim Sae-ron when she was a minor and bore responsibility for her death. As a result, the release of Disney+ series 'Knock Off,' starring Kim Soo-hyun, was temporarily suspended. Additionally, Kim Se-ui (CEO) held a press conference on behalf of the family and released audio recordings allegedly made by the late Kim Sae-ron and materials claimed to be KakaoTalk conversations with Kim Soo-hyun.

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

Kim Se-ui (CEO) was arrested in May last year on charges including spreading false facts about Kim Soo-hyun, and the Prosecution Service transferred him to court in June. Although the first trial was initially scheduled for the 14th of last month, the trial schedule was postponed after Kim's side requested a citizen participation trial.

Kim Soo-hyun is accelerating his return based on the results of this investigation. He conducted a photoshoot for the Philippine clothing brand Bench on July 14 and recently participated in 'Mahakarya RCTI 37,' an event celebrating the 37th anniversary of RCTI's launch held in Jakarta, Indonesia, continuing his overseas activities.

Additionally, Kim Soo-hyun has been listed as a participant in the actor category at the 'Asia Artist Awards' (AAA 2026), to be held over two days on December 5th and 6th at Kaohsiung National Stadium.

With the police's decision not to transfer the case, which found it difficult to recognize charges of violating the Child Welfare Act and false accusations during the approximately one year and four months of investigation, remaining in effect without any request for reinvestigation from the Prosecution Service, the criminal procedures surrounding Kim Soo-hyun have effectively concluded. Consequently, attention is now focused on whether Kim Soo-hyun will be able to resume full-scale activities domestically in the future.

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*This content was translated by AI.