Key Figure Who Accused Kim Soo Hyun Of Causing Kim Sae Ron’s Death Arrested And Indicted

Kim Se Ui, head of the YouTube channel Garo Sero Research Institute, has been indicted while in custody over allegations he spread false information about Kim Soo Hyun, including claims that the actor caused the death of the late actress Kim Sae Ron.

On June 23, the Women’s and Children’s Crime Investigation Division 2 of the Seoul Central District Prosecutors’ Office indicted Kim Se Ui on charges including violations of the Information and Communications Network Act (defamation), the Sexual Violence Punishment Act, and the Stalking Punishment Act.

Kim Se Ui had alleged through YouTube and other platforms that Kim Soo Hyun had been in a relationship with Kim Sae Ron while she was still a minor, and that financial pressure from Kim Soo Hyun’s side to repay debts was a direct cause of her death.

The Seoul Gangnam Police Station applied for an arrest warrant on May 14, concluding that Kim Se Ui knowingly produced the videos despite being aware that the claims were false.

He was also accused of broadcasting private photos of Kim Soo Hyun without consent and threatening to release additional private materials unless a public apology was made.

Arrest Warrant Issued For Kim Se Ui For Using AI To Fabricate Kim Sae Ron’s Voice

Though Kim Se Ui denied all allegations, the court granted the arrest warrant, citing the risk of evidence destruction or flight. Prosecutors subsequently conducted further investigations, including victim interviews and forensic analysis of audio recordings, ultimately finding that Kim Se Ui had arbitrarily edited materials in a misleading way and spread false information without basic fact-checking.

The case comes ahead of a significant policy shift in South Korea: starting July, YouTube channels with over 100,000 subscribers that intentionally distribute false information may be ordered to pay up to five times the damages suffered by victims.