Police Launch Investigation into Defamation Case Involving Kim Soo-hyun & Kim Sae-ron
On March 24, the police announced that they would proceed with an investigation into the defamation cases involving actor Kim Soo-hyun and the late Kim Sae-ron.
Acting Commissioner Park Hyun-soo of the Seoul Metropolitan Police held a regular press briefing that day. During the briefing, Acting Commissioner Park stated that the investigation into the defamation charge against actor Kim Soo-hyun, regarding the alleged defamation of a deceased person, would begin with a report filed at the Gangnam Police Station on the 20th. He added that an investigation would follow, including an inquiry with the complainant.
Regarding the defamation investigation involving YouTuber Lee Jin-ho and Kim Sae-ron, Park Hyun-soo also stated that the case was assigned to the Seodaemun Police Station on March 17, and they were coordinating the schedule with the complainant for questioning.
The case emerged when the YouTube channel “Garo Sero Research Institute” released photos of Kim Soo-hyun and Kim Sae-ron, which they had received from Kim Sae-ron’s family. Kim Sae-ron’s family and the Garo Seo Research Institute claimed that Kim Soo-hyun and Kim Sae-ron had been in a relationship for six years, starting in November 2015, when Kim Sae-ron was a minor. Kim Soo-hyun’s side initially denied the claims, but after additional photos of the two together were revealed, their stance shifted, acknowledging that they had been in a relationship after Kim Sae-ron reached adulthood.
According to the police, a report regarding the allegations of Kim Soo-hyun’s relationship with Kim Sae-ron was filed with the Gangnam Police Station on March 20 by the Garo Seo Research Institute.
Meanwhile, Kim Sae-ron’s legal representative, Attorney Boo Ji-seok of Boo Yoo Law Firm, filed a defamation suit against YouTuber Lee Jin-ho on March 19 for spreading false information. Since 2022, Lee Jin-ho had repeatedly posted videos on his YouTube channel “Entertainment Dictator Lee Jin-ho,” denying the past romantic relationship between Kim Sae-ron and Kim Soo-hyun. After Kim Sae-ron was found dead at her home in Seongdong-gu, Seoul, on the 16th of last month, Lee Jin-ho made all the videos private.
Kim Sae-ron had been caught driving under the influence in May 2022 in the Sinsa-dong area of Gangnam. She was fined 2 million won in court the following year. It was reported that Kim Sae-ron had been experiencing financial difficulties before her death, and she was found dead at her home on the 16th of last month.
The police also provided an update on the case related to the death of singer Wheesung, revealing that a syringe was found near his body. They stated, “A post-mortem was conducted on the 12th, and the initial cause of death was undetermined. We are conducting further tests, and additional investigations will be carried out once the results are received.”