According to reports on May 21, the Seoul Central District Prosecutors’ Office filed the warrant request on charges including defamation under the Information and Communications Network Act and alleged distribution of manipulated materials under laws related to sexual crime punishments.
Kim Se-ui, the head of controversial YouTube channel Garosero Research Institute, is accused of spreading false information claiming that Kim Soo-hyun had been in a relationship with Kim Sae-ron while she was a minor, as well as alleging that financial pressure from Kim Soo-hyun’s side directly contributed to her death.
Prosecutors reportedly believe the claims were fabricated and defamatory.
The investigation also includes allegations that AI-generated technology was used to manipulate or fabricate audio recordings purportedly involving Kim Sae-ron.
Last May, Kim Se-ui held a press conference alongside representatives of Kim Sae-ron’s family, where recordings allegedly connected to the claims were publicly released.
Kim Soo-hyun’s side strongly denied the allegations at the time, arguing that the recordings had been manipulated using AI technology and subsequently filed legal complaints against Kim Se-ui for defamation and related charges.
The controversy quickly became one of the most heavily discussed legal disputes in the Korean entertainment industry.
Kim Se-ui’s pre-arrest warrant hearing is scheduled to take place on May 26 at the Seoul Central District Court.
The court will determine whether there are sufficient grounds for detention while the investigation continues.
The ongoing dispute has generated widespread media attention due to the involvement of high-profile entertainment figures and growing concerns surrounding the misuse of AI-generated content in celebrity scandals.
As the legal proceedings move forward, public focus remains on the upcoming court hearing and whether prosecutors’ claims regarding fabricated evidence will be substantiated.
Sources: 네이트 뉴스