[26.05.21] Police Call Kim Soo-hyun Claims False… Kim Se-ui Faces Arrest

Kim Soo-hyun Claims ‘Minor Relationship Evidence Was Fabricated’… Prosecutors Seek Arrest Warrant for Kim Se-ui

📍Police conclude allegations involving late actress Kim Sae-ron during her minor years were false, citing manipulated KakaoTalk messages, AI-generated audio, and fabricated bribery claims

South Korean prosecutors have requested an arrest warrant for Kim Se-ui, head of the YouTube channel Garo Sero Institute, on charges of defaming actor Kim Soo-hyun. Police investigations reportedly concluded that allegations claiming the actor dated the late actress Kim Sae-ron while she was a minor were false. Authorities also determined that KakaoTalk screenshots and audio recordings presented as evidence had been manipulated, while even the bereaved family’s attorney has reportedly been booked as a suspect.

🔹 Police: “False Claims Were Spread Despite Knowing There Was No Minor Relationship”

According to the arrest warrant application submitted by Seoul Gangnam Police Station, investigators concluded that Kim Se-ui went beyond merely raising suspicions and intentionally distributed false information.

Police stated in the document that “the suspect fully recognized that actor Kim had never been in a relationship with the deceased during her minor years, yet repeatedly published false claims with the purpose of defamation.”

Authorities also believe Kim attempted to gain economic benefits such as YouTube views, donations, and advertising revenue through the spread of the allegations.

Investigators reportedly viewed the case not as a matter of opinion or expression, but as an organized act involving fabricated materials and deliberate misinformation.

🔹 KakaoTalk Screenshots Edited by Changing Name to “Kim Soo-hyun”

Police also concluded that the KakaoTalk conversation screenshots released by Kim Se-ui’s side in March of last year had been manipulated.

According to the investigation, Kim allegedly modified portions of 11 screenshots provided by the bereaved family. Investigators found that seven sections had been edited, including changing the conversation partner’s name from “Unknown” to “Kim Soo-hyun.”

Police stated that “the suspect clearly knew the actual identity of the conversation partner had not been verified,” yet uploaded the materials in a way that made them appear to be genuine conversations between Kim Soo-hyun and Kim Sae-ron.

Authorities further believe the manipulated screenshots played a key role in spreading false information after being repeatedly used in broadcasts and online content.

🔹 AI-Generated Audio File Used to Support Claims of Relationship Since Middle School

An audio recording of Kim Sae-ron released during a press conference in May last year was also determined by police to have likely been generated using artificial intelligence technology.

At the time, Kim Se-ui played the recording during the press conference while claiming that the late actress had been in a relationship with Kim Soo-hyun since middle school. He also suggested that additional recordings existed, further escalating the allegations.

However, police reportedly concluded through digital forensics and voice analysis that the recording was not authentic and was likely AI-generated synthetic audio.

Authorities also determined that claims stating “Kim Soo-hyun’s side offered 4 billion won in exchange for the recording files” and “attempted to send assailants to kill the informant after the offer was rejected” were false.

Investigators believe these claims rapidly spread online and caused severe damage to Kim Soo-hyun’s public image and credibility.

🔹 Bereaved Family’s Attorney Also Booked as Suspect

Attention has also focused on the fact that the attorney representing Kim Sae-ron’s bereaved family was reportedly booked as a suspect in the case.

Police believe the attorney was involved not only in providing materials used to support the allegations but also in helping expand and reproduce the false claims through media appearances and broadcasts.

Authorities are reportedly examining the possibility that the alleged defamation campaign was conducted in an organized and systematic manner.

In response, attorney Go Sang-rok, legal representative for Kim Soo-hyun, stated on social media that “Kim Soo-hyun’s side never directly filed a complaint against the bereaved family’s attorney,” adding that “investigators themselves appear to have identified possible accomplice liability and converted the attorney into a suspect.”

He further noted that “it is extremely unusual for a lawyer representing the opposing side to become a criminal suspect during the course of a case.”

🔹 Police: “Economic and Social Damage to Kim Soo-hyun Reached Collapse Level”

Police determined that Kim Soo-hyun suffered severe social and economic damages following the spread of the allegations.

According to reports, the arrest warrant application included wording stating that “the actor’s social foundation and overall economic activities effectively collapsed.”

Investigators said Kim Soo-hyun is currently receiving psychiatric treatment and warned that continued distribution of false claims could cause irreversible additional harm.

Police also noted that multiple advertisers terminated contracts with the actor, while lawsuits related to endorsements and content agreements have continued to emerge. The total amount of confirmed claims reportedly stands at approximately 17.4 billion won.

Industry observers pointed out that in the entertainment business, where public image and brand trust are critical, even unverified allegations can result in enormous financial losses.

🔹 Police Cite Risk of Flight and Evidence Destruction

Police listed concerns over flight risk and possible destruction of evidence as grounds for requesting an arrest warrant.

Investigators emphasized that Kim Se-ui did not merely repost materials provided by third parties, but allegedly edited and altered them personally before presenting them as key evidence supporting the false allegations.

Authorities stated that “there remains a possibility the suspect could delete unfavorable materials or manipulate evidence further during future investigations and trial proceedings.”

Police also noted that the mobile phone used by Kim Sae-ron prior to her death has not yet been submitted to investigators.

Authorities reportedly view the possible recovery of additional digital evidence as a key factor in the ongoing investigation.

🔹 Kim Se-ui Claims Arrest Warrant Is “An Attempt to Obstruct Reporting”

Meanwhile, Kim Se-ui argued that prosecutors sought the arrest warrant in order to obstruct his reporting activities.

During a livestream broadcast, he stated, “I had originally planned to travel to Hanoi, Vietnam, to continue investigating allegations involving a prominent politician,” adding that “the arrest warrant was suddenly requested in order to block our reporting.”

He also insisted that the materials and statements he released were part of legitimate public-interest journalism and denied wrongdoing.

Meanwhile, the Seoul Central District Prosecutors’ Office formally requested an arrest warrant for Kim Se-ui on May 20 on charges related to violations of the Sexual Violence Punishment Act. The warrant review hearing is scheduled to take place on May 26 at the Seoul Central District Court.

One-line summary : Police concluded that KakaoTalk screenshots and AI-generated audio tied to allegations of a minor-age relationship between Kim Soo-hyun and the late Kim Sae-ron were fabricated, leading prosecutors to seek an arrest warrant for Garo Sero Institute head Kim Se-ui.