[OFFICIAL] Actor #KimSoohyun Returns from Hiatus, Resumes Activities on July 14 According to an official from Kim Soohyun’s agency on the 8th, Kim Soohyun will take part in a commercial photoshoot for the Philippine fashion brand BENCH on July 14. naver.me/GKI1ATmJ

[INTERVIEW] #KimSoohyun’s Attorney Ko Sangrok: Kim Seui’s Extremely Malicious Cyber Manipulation Must Be Punished Through Astronomical Damages as a Warning to Others YTN Radio (FM 94.5) Broadcast Date: June 1, 2026 Host: Park Guibin, Announcer Guest: Attorney Ko Sangrok (Phone Interview) Q. Kim Seui, the head of Garosero Research Institute, who has been raising various allegations surrounding actor Kim Soohyun, has finally been arrested. Investigative authorities determined that there were signs that recordings and messenger conversations had been manipulated using AI and other methods, and that false information had been spread. Let’s discuss this with attorney Ko Sangrok, the legal representative for Kim Soohyun’s side. Hello, attorney. Hello. Q. Kim Seui was arrested on May 26. How should we view this arrest decision? First of all, the court issued an arrest warrant. While we take this result seriously, we of course welcome it. The damage in our case itself is very large and serious, but for the past several years, Garosero Research Institute has repeatedly spread false information or attacked celebrities based on unverified tips. So if Kim Seui had not been socially isolated through this arrest, there was a high possibility that similar harm would have continued. For us, the most gratifying thing is that, as actor Kim Soohyun promised a year ago, the truth is now coming to light. At the same time, we feel great relief because many potential secondary victims may have been prevented in advance. Q. What was the reason for Kim Seui’s arrest? We do not have access to the full investigation records or all the evidence submitted to the court, so we can only make assumptions. Generally, the most important reason for detention is the concern that evidence could be destroyed. But in this case, it goes beyond simply worrying about evidence being destroyed. The materials that were presented as the key basis for the false allegations appear to have been manipulated themselves. So I believe the court likely placed the greatest weight on the risk related to evidence destruction. Q. Looking at the police investigation results, they say that Kim Soohyun did not date Kim Saeron when she was a minor. And perhaps the most surprising thing is that many recordings and conversations were released through Kim Seui’s YouTube channel last year. Are you saying all of those materials have now been found to be manipulated? Yes, that’s correct. Kim Seui personally released his arrest warrant application this time. That is highly unusual. I don’t know what strategic considerations he may have had, but it seems likely that it was intended as political propaganda. According to the warrant application, the investigative authorities concluded that the KakaoTalk messages and recordings used to support claims about a relationship during Kim Saeron’s minor years were all manipulated, either through AI or by changing profile information. That is what has now been confirmed.

Q. I understand. I believe the original damages claim was 12 billion won. Now I hear it may be recalculated to around 30 billion won. Why is that? I mentioned that in another media interview, and it became a major topic for a couple of days. When the issue was first raised, the amount was based on estimated damages and possible penalty claims that existed at the time. A significant amount of time has passed since then. Now actual damages have occurred and become more clearly defined. As we prepare for the full civil lawsuit, it is appropriate to recalculate the amount. The amount we submitted to investigators as an estimate of damages was around 30 billion won, which is why I mentioned that figure. However, nothing has been finalized yet, and it still needs to be calculated carefully. As a lawyer, I believe criminal punishment is important for severe cyber-related wrongdoing, but obtaining a strict civil judgment through damages claims is also important. Eventually, people who commit these kinds of crimes are released from prison. When Kim Seui is released, there should be consequences serious enough to prevent him from repeating such actions. In that sense, I believe there should be strong precedents imposing significant civil liability as a warning to others. However, I want to make one thing clear. Neither Kim Soohyun nor his agency is pursuing this matter simply to achieve social justice. He suffered tremendous damage from cyber-related wrongdoing, and his reputation and personal dignity were pushed almost to the point of destruction. His recovery and return to normal life are the highest priorities. That is the perspective from which we are approaching this matter. Rather than becoming fixated on the number 30 billion won, what matters more is that the truth is being revealed and that society warmly welcomes and supports his return to where he belongs. Q. If the damages amount is finalized, will Kim Seui’s side have to pay it? What impact would that have on them? Kim Seui is currently listed as a defendant. Other individuals, including members of the bereaved family, are also named as defendants. Once the investigation results are released and any accomplice relationships are clarified, some people may be added and others removed. Eventually, the court will determine who is legally responsible for the unlawful acts. Those individuals would bear joint liability under the law. If, for example, the full 30 billion won were awarded, we could legally demand the entire amount from any one of the jointly liable parties. Any reimbursement arrangements among themselves would be their own responsibility. In practical terms, there is almost no possibility that Kim Seui would be removed from the damages lawsuit. So he would remain legally responsible for the full amount. If such a large damages award were granted, it is unlikely that Kim Seui’s assets alone would be sufficient to cover it. And if the other responsible parties also could not fully pay, they could end up carrying enormous debt for the rest of their lives. Even if they enter rehabilitation or bankruptcy proceedings, damages resulting from unlawful acts are generally not discharged or reduced. So they could end up living with an astronomical level of debt for the rest of their lives.