Kim Soo-hyun requests closure of Garo Sero Institute YouTube channel over defamation and threats

Actor Kim Soo-hyun has reportedly made an official request to YouTube to close the channel "Garo Sero Institute" (Garo Sero Yeonguso) due to allegations raised by the channel regarding the actor. The demand goes beyond the deletion of specific problematic videos, seeking the removal of the channel itself. Kim Soo-hyun's side claims that investigations have confirmed acts of defamation and threats based on false evidence, and they are urging swift action to prevent further damage.

On the 6th, Kim Soo-hyun's side requested the closure of the Garo Sero Institute channel from YouTube. The reason provided for the request was a violation of YouTube's "Harassment and Cyberbullying Policy." Kim Soo-hyun's side determined that the content targeting the actor during the channel's operation contravened said policy. Along with the request for channel closure, they reportedly requested the deletion of 30 videos related to Kim Soo-hyun.

Ko Sang-rok, a lawyer at Phil Law Firm representing Kim Soo-hyun, claimed that investigations confirmed allegations that Garo Sero Institute defamed and threatened Kim Soo-hyun using false evidence, such as voices manipulated by artificial intelligence (AI). He stated the position that the channel must be closed promptly to prevent additional damage. This request is drawing attention as it demands action against the very channel distributing the problematic content, rather than just the deletion of individual videos.

Kim Se-ui, the YouTuber operating Garo Sero Institute, was indicted under detention in June this year on charges including defaming Kim Soo-hyun by spreading false information. He is known to have raised allegations regarding Kim Soo-hyun through the Garo Sero Institute channel from March to December last year. However, being indicted under detention means the prosecution determined there were sufficient grounds to take the case to trial; the final determination of criminal liability rests with the court's judgment.

At the center of the controversy was an allegation that Kim Soo-hyun had been in a relationship with the late Kim Sae-ron since their teenage years. While Garo Sero Institute raised these allegations, police reportedly determined them to be false. Kim Soo-hyun's side maintains that false materials were utilized in this process, resulting in defamation. As allegations regarding private relationships spread online, the impact on the individual's social standing and privacy grew, leading to a legal battle over the authenticity of the content and responsibility for its distribution.

This matter also draws attention to the responsibilities of the YouTube platform and its content management standards. The defamation charges being handled in criminal proceedings and whether the platform's own operating policies were violated are subject to separate judgments. The fact that there are issues being handled in investigations or trials does not mean channel closure is automatically decided; YouTube will judge the request according to its own policies and review procedures. It remains to be seen whether Kim Soo-hyun's request will be accepted and if it will lead to the deletion of the relevant videos and the closure of the channel.

While raising allegations about celebrities can be discussed in terms of public interest and freedom of expression, the nature of the issue changes if unverified content is distributed definitively or if manipulated materials are used. In particular, once online content spreads, damage can continue through reposting and re-citation even after deletion. The background of Kim Soo-hyun's side requesting both the channel closure and the deletion of related videos is interpreted as an intention to block such secondary damage. Attention is focused on what decision YouTube will make regarding this request.

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