Kim Se-ui shouts in court, insisting Kim Soo-hyun and late Kim Sae-ron's relationship was real

Kim Se-ui, head of the Garo Sero Institute, who was detained and indicted on charges of spreading false information regarding the alleged relationship between actor Kim Soo-hyun and the late Kim Sae-ron during their youth, refused to back down from his claims during his first trial. He engaged in intense tension from the start of the proceedings, raising his voice to repeatedly assert that the relationship between the two was a fact, prompting the court to intervene. Kim Soo-hyun, appearing as both a victim and a witness, provided his testimony through a closed-door examination, marking the beginning of the legal battle between the two sides.

On the 11th, the 26th Criminal Division of the Seoul Central District Court (Presiding Judge Lee Hyeon-gyeong) held the first public hearing for Kim, who was indicted on charges including violations of the Information and Communications Network Act (defamation) and the Sexual Violence Punishment Act. In this first formal trial since his detention and indictment in June, Kim emphasized the position of denying all charges that he has maintained since the investigation stage.

The core of the charges against Kim is that he went beyond merely raising suspicions and infringed upon the reputation and privacy of Kim Soo-hyun. He is accused of spreading claims through YouTube broadcasts and other media that Kim Soo-hyun had a relationship with the late Kim Sae-ron while she was a minor, and that the cause of Kim Sae-ron's death was pressure from Kim Soo-hyun's side to repay debts. These claims have been continuously denied by Kim Soo-hyun's side, and the legal judgment regarding the facts is expected to be made during this trial.

Additionally, Kim is accused of defaming Kim Soo-hyun by distributing voices manipulated using artificial intelligence (AI) technology. With added charges of threatening to expose Kim Soo-hyun's private photos and personal data, the prosecution indicted Kim while he was in custody on multiple counts of violating the law.

However, Kim did not withdraw his claims in court that day. According to MBC, he raised his voice, stating, "The relationship between the two is a fact, and the recordings are not manipulated." The tension rose to the point where the court warned, "Do not shout," and "If this continues, we will restrain you," and Kim only lowered his voice after being cautioned by the bench. Tension was established between the defendant and the court from the very first hearing.

Kim also expressed dissatisfaction with being tried while in custody. He requested bail, stating, "I want to fight this legal battle against world star Kim Soo-hyun in a complete state." He argued that he wished to attend the trial outside of custody, citing his physical and mental condition. Furthermore, he demanded a direct confrontation with the victim, stating, "I will ask questions directly to actor Kim Soo-hyun."

A closed-door witness examination of Kim Soo-hyun was also conducted during the trial. Kim Soo-hyun entered the courtroom through a separate passage to avoid the attention of the press and participated in the legal proceedings without appearing publicly. It is reported that he testified, focusing on the fact that the claims raised by Kim through broadcasts and other media were clearly false. As the testimony included sensitive details regarding his private life, the examination was held in private.

This trial has drawn attention as a case where online controversies surrounding the relationship between Kim Soo-hyun and the late Kim Sae-ron have moved into the criminal justice process. In particular, as suspicions regarding the private lives of celebrities spread through video content and online broadcasts, key issues are expected to emerge regarding the boundaries of defamation and privacy infringement, as well as the legal responsibilities involving the use of AI technology for voice manipulation.

As Kim maintained his existing claims during the first hearing, Kim Soo-hyun's testimony and the evidence to be presented by the prosecution are expected to serve as key variables in future trials. Whether Kim's request for bail while in custody will be granted is also a matter of interest. However, the charges raised and the claims of both sides must be judged through the trial, and the reality of the case and the determination of responsibility will be decided by the court's final judgment.

Read the original (Korean)