Kim Soo-hyun's agency says late Kim Sae-ron's mother referred to prosecutors

Gold Medalist, the agency of actor Kim Soo-hyun, announced the results of police investigations into complaints it filed against the bereaved family of the late Kim Sae-ron and related individuals.

The agency released an official statement Monday, saying it was sharing the outcome of police investigations into multiple complaints filed by Kim Soo-hyun and the agency against the bereaved family of the late Kim Sae-ron and a person who impersonated the late actor's aunt.

According to the agency, following the earlier arrest and indictment of Kim Se-eui on related charges, accomplices suspected of joining Kim in spreading false information were also found to have committed criminal offenses and referred to prosecutors.

Those referred include the late actor's mother and a person who impersonated her aunt. They face charges including violation of the Act on Promotion of Information and Communications Network Utilization and Information Protection for defamation through false statements, violation of the Act on Special Cases Concerning the Punishment of Sexual Crimes for distributing illegally filmed material, and attempted coercion. The late actor's father, however, was not referred to prosecutors.

Police also conducted a separate investigation into individuals not named in the original complaints. The agency said attorney Boo Ji-seok, who represented the bereaved family, and Kwon Young-chan, who runs the YouTube channel "Kwon Young-chan TV," were each found to have committed criminal offenses and referred to prosecutors.

Attorney Boo faces charges of defamation under the Criminal Act and defamation through false statements under the Act on Promotion of Information and Communications Network Utilization and Information Protection. Kwon was referred to prosecutors on charges of violating the Act on Special Cases Concerning the Punishment of Sexual Crimes for distributing illegally filmed material. The agency said the investigation stemmed from two press conferences the pair led using fabricated materials, including forged KakaoTalk messages and AI-manipulated audio recordings.

"We are deeply grateful to the investigative authorities for their diligent work in carefully examining the facts based on extensive materials and objective evidence, and for uncovering the true nature of the crimes and those involved," Gold Medalist said.

The controversy surrounding Kim Soo-hyun began in March last year, when the YouTube channel Garosero Research Institute claimed he had dated the late Kim Sae-ron from when she was a minor. The channel released photographs and KakaoTalk conversations purportedly related to the timing of their relationship. The late actor's bereaved family subsequently filed a complaint against Kim Soo-hyun, alleging he had dated her while she was a minor and accusing him of violating the Child Welfare Act.

Kim Soo-hyun's side acknowledged the relationship but denied that it began during her minor years, saying the two dated between 2019 and 2020, after she had come of age. As the two sides traded conflicting claims, the bereaved family released audio recordings, and Kim's side took legal action, asserting the material had been fabricated.

Monday's announcement represents the agency's disclosure of police investigation results in the related cases. A referral to prosecutors does not constitute a finding of guilt, and a final legal determination will be made through subsequent prosecutorial decisions and trial proceedings.

min3654@heraldcorp.com