Kim Soo-Hyun Case: YouTuber Kim Se-Ui’s Appeal Against Detention Rejected; To Remain Arrested Over ‘False Claims’

YouTuber Kim Se-Ui’s appeal against detention has been rejected Kim Soo-Hyun’s case. The head of the controversial channel, Garo Sero Research Institute, will thus remain in jail as the court rejected a request to review the legality of his detention. Se-Ui had claimed his arrest was illegal and requested a retrial of the court ruling but the appeal was eventually dismissed. He is accused of spreading false information about the Queen of Tears actor through broadcasts on his YouTube channel. Kim Soo-Hyun’s legal team had recently also sought permanent deletion of the YouTube channel, apart from filing a 12-billion-won damages lawsuit, with regard to his dating scandal with late actress Kim Sae-Ron.

Authorities claim  made false claims repeatedly, including photos and doctored content, which he set to private, while claiming Kim Soo-Hyun was dating Kim Sae-Ron when she was a minor. The YouTuber had publicly denied all allegations against him before his arrest. He appeared for a warrant hearing and said he denied all of the charges and would contest every allegation in detail in court.

After the court approved the arrest warrant, Kim Se-Ui criticised the issuance of the warrant. “This is an unfair use of judicial power,” he said. He later filed a petition to review the legality of his detention in an attempt to overturn the ruling and win his freedom.

But the court was not convinced by his arguments. The judges who heard the case found no reason to overturn the order for his detention and turned down the request.

Kim Se-Ui’s appeal escalated the controversy as he argued that his jail time was hurting the reputation of the late Kim Sae-Ron and affecting her bereaved family. The comments drew attention as critics felt they shifted the onus of the allegations being investigated onto the late actress.

He now faces multiple criminal charges. Investigators said he spread false information dozens of times and shared photos related to  improperly. He is also charged with attempted coercion, intimidation and violating South Korea’s anti-stalking laws.

Stalking Punishment Act in the country defines disclosing personal information or images through online platforms could constitute stalking behaviour. Some of the material spread through the Garo Sero Research Institute is believed by the authorities to fall into that category.

Investigators also believe Kim Se-Ui did not comply with protective measures taken to prevent further stalking-related conduct. Reports say he may have violated such restrictions many times, adding to the seriousness of the case.

Kim Soo-Hyun’s legal battle isn’t over yet and the decision to keep Se-Ui behind bars is a big development. Se-Ui has said he will fight the allegations and take legal action when he is released but while in custody he will continue to be questioned and investigated.

As the case unfolds, prosecutors will likely dig deeper into the allegations about the broadcasts, the truth of the materials that were circulated, and any further criminal liability.