Kim Soo-hyun’s agency Gold Medalist said on October 26 that police have referred several accomplices in its defamation cases to prosecutors, following the earlier detention and indictment of Garo Sero Research Institute head Kim Se-eui. The agency said the group referred includes the late Kim Sae-ron’s mother and a person who impersonated her aunt, while her father was not referred.
In a statement issued on October 26, Gold Medalist said: “Following Kim Se-eui of Garo Sero Research Institute being indicted while detained in connection with the case, accomplices who took part in spreading falsehoods alongside Kim Se-eui have also been found to have criminal charges and have been referred to the prosecution.” TV Daily published the full text of the statement.
According to the agency, the referred accomplices face charges including defamation by stating false facts under the Act on Promotion of Information and Communications Network Utilization and Information Protection, distribution of filmed material under the Act on Special Cases Concerning the Punishment of Sexual Crimes, and attempted coercion.
The agency said police also opened separate investigations into accomplices who were not part of its original complaints. Among those referred were attorney Bu Ji-seok, who represented the bereaved family side, and Kwon Young-chan, who runs the YouTube channel Kwon Young-chan TV. Gold Medalist said both men used materials investigators confirmed to be fabricated or manipulated, including forged KakaoTalk messages and AI-manipulated voice recordings, to lead two press conferences. Bu faces criminal defamation and network-act defamation charges, while Kwon faces a charge under the sexual crimes act over distribution of filmed material, the agency said.
The dispute traces back to allegations that Kim dated Kim Sae-ron while she was a minor. Kim’s side denied that the relationship began while she was a minor and filed complaints against the bereaved family and Kim Se-eui on multiple charges, according to TV Daily’s report on the statement. Kim Se-eui was later detained and indicted in connection with the case.
Gold Medalist thanked investigators for establishing the facts and identifying those involved, citing extensive materials and objective evidence. The referred cases now move to prosecutors for a decision on whether to indict.
