Kim Soo-hyun's side expresses concern over "political exploitation and distorted atmosphere" regarding Kim Se-won's application for a citizen jury trial [Star Scene]

*This content was translated by AI.

Kim Se-won's side at Gaseyeon Research Institute (hereinafter Gaseyeon) and actor Kim Soo-hyun's side have come into conflict over whether to proceed with a citizen jury trial.

On the afternoon of the 11th, the Criminal Consolidated Court No. 26 of Seoul Central District Court (Judge Lee Hyeon-gyeong (Director)) held its first pre-trial hearing for Kim Se-won, who was arrested and indicted on charges including violation of the Information and Communications Network Act (defamation). Since there is no legal obligation for defendants to appear at pre-trial hearings, Kim Se-won did not attend.

Originally, this case was assigned to a single-judge criminal court (Criminal Division 14), but it was reassigned to the three-judge Criminal Consolidated Court No. 26 following a decision on judicial consolidation. Judicial consolidation is a procedure that changes a case originally handled by a single judge into one handled jointly by three judges, considering the nature of the case.

On this day, the court asked Kim Se-won's lawyer, "The defendant (Kim Se-won) has expressed a desire for a citizen jury trial. Please state your position on this first."

Kim Se-won's lawyer replied, "There is no change in our desire for a citizen jury trial."

In contrast, Kim Soo-hyun's lawyer requested the court: "If you review what (Kim Se-won) has stated through broadcasts regarding the reason for desiring a citizen jury trial, it says, 'We must fight against powerful leftist forces, so we need a citizen jury trial. We will fight against the Republic of Korea Prosecution Service and others.' Given that these claims continue even while Kim Se-won is in custody, we hope the court will carefully examine whether this aligns with the purpose of a citizen jury trial."

The lawyer further emphasized, "We are concerned that the defendant's side may be trying to drag a distorted atmosphere back into the trial once again and exploit it politically. We urge the court to re-examine the request for a citizen jury trial."

Previously, the Women and Juvenile Crime Investigation Division 2 of Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office arrested and 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 Crimes (distribution of images filmed using cameras, etc.), and violation of the Stalking Crime Punishment Act.

Kim Se-won is accused of spreading false information from March to May last year through YouTube live broadcasts and press conferences, claiming that the late actor Kim Sae-ron had been in a relationship with Kim Soo-hyun for approximately six years since her minor years and that pressure from Kim Soo-hyun's side over debt repayment was the cause of the deceased's death.

Additionally, Kim Se-won is also accused of manipulating the deceased's voice using generative artificial intelligence (AI) and fabricating false claims that she had been in a relationship with Kim Soo-hyun since middle school, thereby damaging Kim Soo-hyun's reputation.

The police and Prosecution Service who investigated the case stated in the indictment that Kim Se-won broadcasted false information 25 times in total for the purpose of defaming Kim Soo-hyun. The charges also include publicly releasing photos exposing Kim Soo-hyun's body and mentioning the possibility of releasing additional photos, thereby coercing Kim Soo-hyun's side to admit to a relationship with the deceased and issue a public apology. However, Kim Se-won has completely denied all allegations.

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*This content was translated by AI.