Police refer mother of late Kim Sae-ron to prosecution

The mother of the late Kim Sae-ron and a "fake aunt" have been referred to the prosecution for defamation and attempted coercion following a police investigation into false allegations against actor Kim Soo-hyun. While the deceased's family previously filed complaints against Kim Soo-hyun, police decided not to transfer those specific charges in July due to insufficient evidence.

The legal representatives for actor Kim Soo-hyun have released the results of a police investigation into complaints filed against the bereaved family of the late Kim Sae-ron and other related individuals, including a so-called "fake aunt." As several individuals involved in spreading false information and distributing footage have been referred to the prosecution, the long-standing dispute regarding the truth surrounding Kim Soo-hyun has entered a new phase.

On the 26th, GOLDMEDALIST, the agency representing Kim Soo-hyun, reported the results of the police investigation into the complaints filed against the late Kim Sae-ron's bereaved family and related individuals. The police determined that the suspicions of those involved in spreading false information were substantiated and transferred the case to the prosecution. Those subject to this referral include the deceased's mother and an individual who impersonated an aunt.

The charges applied to these individuals include defamation by stating false facts under the Act on Promotion of Information and Communications Network Utilization and Information Protection, as well as the distribution of footage using cameras or similar devices under the Act on Special Cases Concerning the Punishment of Sexual Crimes, and attempted coercion. The investigation extended beyond simple online exposures to include the distribution of false information and footage, as well as allegations of pressure regarding specific actions. However, the referral to the prosecution means the police determined there were sufficient grounds for suspicion; it does not constitute a final conviction.

Attorney Boo Ji-seok, the legal representative for the bereaved family, and YouTuber Kwon Young-chan have also been referred to the prosecution. They are suspected of leading two press conferences using false and manipulated materials. Boo Ji-seok faces charges of defamation under the Criminal Act and defamation by stating false facts under the Act on Promotion of Information and Communications Network Utilization and Information Protection. Kwon Young-chan faces charges of violating the Act on Special Cases Concerning the Punishment of Sexual Crimes, specifically the distribution of footage using cameras or similar devices.

GOLDMEDALIST expressed gratitude regarding the investigation results. The agency stated, "We are deeply grateful to the investigative authorities for uncovering the reality of the crimes and the participants involved based on vast amounts of data and objective evidence." This announcement is interpreted as a way to inform the public of the referral of the related individuals to the prosecution while signaling the intent to continue legal action regarding the allegations and exposures raised thus far.

The case intensified in March last year when allegations surfaced that Kim Soo-hyun had been in a relationship with the late Kim Sae-ron since her time as a minor. Kim Soo-hyun's side refuted this, claiming the relationship began after the deceased became an adult, and denied the allegations of dating during her minority. As the claims of both sides clashed, the controversy over their private lives escalated into a legal battle.

The bereaved family of the late Kim Sae-ron filed a complaint against Kim Soo-hyun for violating the Child Welfare Act, but the police decided not to transfer the case to the prosecution in July due to insufficient evidence. This decision meant the police determined not to refer those specific charges to the prosecution. This must be distinguished from the current case involving the referral of related individuals announced by GOLDMEDALIST.

The controversy surrounding Kim Soo-hyun and the late Kim Sae-ron began with suspicions regarding their private relationship and has expanded into legal issues concerning the credibility of the exposure materials and defamation. This police investigation result is significant in that the determination of the suspects' charges has moved to the prosecution stage. Attention is now focused on how the specific facts of each charge will be organized through the subsequent prosecution investigation and disposition.

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