Kim Se-woo, the head of the Garoseyo Research Institute, has applied for a jury trial in a defamation case related to the late actress Kim Sae-ron's death. He is accused of spreading false information that actor Kim Soo-hyun pressured Kim Sae-ron regarding debt repayment, which allegedly contributed to her death.
On August 14, Judge Kim Yu-rang of the Seoul Central District Court was scheduled to hold the first hearing in the case involving charges of defamation and violations of the Sexual Violence Punishment Act. However, the hearing has been postponed to a later date after Kim's legal team submitted a request for a jury trial the previous day, prompting the court to issue an order to change the hearing date.
A jury trial allows citizens to participate as jurors in criminal cases, determining guilt or innocence and providing input on sentencing.
Kim Se-woo is accused of disseminating false claims through platforms like YouTube, alleging that Kim Soo-hyun had a romantic relationship with the underage Kim Sae-ron and that the pressure from Kim Soo-hyun's side regarding debt repayment was a direct cause of her death.
He also faces allegations of threatening Kim Soo-hyun by unlawfully disclosing private photos and suggesting he would reveal personal information unless a public apology was issued.
Prosecutors argue that Kim Se-woo recklessly spread false information without verifying facts, causing significant harm to Kim Soo-hyun, leading to his arrest and indictment in June.
On the previous day, Kim Se-woo denied defamation charges in a separate trial concerning popular YouTuber Tzuyang (real name Park Jeong-won).
He claimed, "The prosecutor broadly stated that I spoke falsehoods, but I was forced to be included in statements regarding the Tzuyang case that I did not make." His attorney also argued that there was no intent to defame, asserting that the elements of defamation were not met.
Kim Se-woo is accused of continuously producing and disseminating content related to Tzuyang's private life, as well as repeatedly threatening her by demanding a clarification broadcast and hinting at further revelations.
The next hearing in the Tzuyang case is scheduled for October 15.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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