Kim Se-woo Requests Review of Detention in Defamation Case Involving Kim Soo-hyun

Kim Se-woo, head of the Garosero Research Institute, attended a pre-arrest interrogation at the Seoul Central District Court on May 26, 2026, over allegations of spreading false information regarding the late Kim Sae-ron's death. [Photo=Yonhap News]

Kim Se-woo, head of the Garosero Research Institute, has requested a court review of his detention related to defamation charges stemming from allegations that he spread false information about the late actress Kim Sae-ron's death. According to Yonhap News on June 1, Kim's legal team filed a request for a review of the legality of his detention at the Seoul Central District Court on May 31, five days after his arrest. The hearing for the review is scheduled for June 2 at 2:10 PM. This review process allows the court to reassess the legality and necessity of the detention. The court is required to interrogate the suspect and examine evidence within 48 hours of receiving the request. Kim is accused of disseminating false claims that Kim Soo-hyun pressured Kim Sae-ron, who was a minor at the time, regarding debt repayment, suggesting that this pressure was a direct cause of her death. He is also facing allegations of using artificial intelligence to manipulate Kim Sae-ron's voice, fabricating statements that she had sexual relations with Kim Soo-hyun during her second year of middle school, which would harm Kim Soo-hyun's reputation. Police believe Kim knowingly spread these falsehoods to attract public attention. He has made related claims during a press conference with Kim Sae-ron's family in March of last year. After a year-long investigation, the Gangnam Police in Seoul concluded that Kim had manipulated transcripts using AI, as claimed by Kim Soo-hyun's side. Consequently, on May 14, a warrant for Kim's arrest was issued, citing violations of laws concerning sexual violence, defamation, threats, and attempted coercion. The Seoul Central District Court detained Kim on May 26, citing concerns that he might destroy evidence or flee.

* This article has been translated by AI.

Hwang Jin Hyun