The family of the late Kim Sae-ron filed a lawsuit against actor Kim Soo-hyun for violating the Child Welfare Act and false accusation.

A press conference was held on the afternoon of the 7th at Space Share Samseong Station Center in Gangnam District, Seoul, with the legal representative of the late Kim Sae-ron's family, attorney Bu Ji-seok from Law Firm Buyou, and Kim Se-ui, representative of the Garosero Research Institute.

On this day, attorney Bu Ji-seok stated, "We held a press conference on March 27. The reason was to present evidence that the deceased had been dating Kim Soo-hyun since she was a minor, in order to bring a close to the controversy. The family wanted an apology from Kim Soo-hyun, but what they received in return was a lawsuit for damages amounting to about 12 billion won and a complaint, along with a press conference by Kim Soo-hyun stating that he had never dated the deceased when she was a minor, insisting he would prove the truth through the investigative agency."

Attorney Bu Ji-seok added, "Thus, the family has been sincerely cooperating with the investigation, providing all materials requested by the investigative agency. However, despite claiming he would prove the truth through the investigation, Kim Soo-hyun has repeatedly asserted that the evidence was manipulated, and YouTuber Lee Jin-ho is also making the same claims without clear evidence."

He continued, "At the same time, Kim Soo-hyun has been excessively filing complaints against the family. Nevertheless, the family was adhering to the principle of no response, believing that the truth would be revealed through the investigative agency. Under such circumstances, a recent informant assisting the family was approached with a bribery offer to buy crucial evidence for tens of billions of won, and upon refusing, the informant faced serious risks to their personal safety. Due to this urgent situation, we have decided to hold this press conference again."

He explained, "On the day of the incident, the family submitted a complaint against Kim Soo-hyun for violating the Child Welfare Act and false accusation through our law firm. Article 17, Section 2 of the Child Welfare Act punishes those who engage in or facilitate obscene acts with children, or commit sexual abuse such as sexual harassment against minors. The family confirmed that Kim Soo-hyun had forced the late Kim Sae-ron to engage in obscene acts or committed sexual abuse starting from the winter vacation of her second year in middle school, thereby proceeding with the complaint for violating the Child Welfare Act."

In addition, the family stated, "Kim Soo-hyun had been dating the late Kim Sae-ron since she was a minor. Nevertheless, Kim Soo-hyun filed a lawsuit for defamation against the family, who were stating the truth. Accordingly, the family proceeded with a complaint against Kim Soo-hyun for false accusation, claiming he intended to bring about criminal punishment against them."

Meanwhile, the late Kim Sae-ron was found dead at her home in Seongdong District, Seoul, on Feb. 16. After the funeral, the family claimed through the YouTube channel "Garosero Research Institute" (abbreviated as "Gaseyeon") that the deceased had been in a relationship with actor Kim Soo-hyun from the age of 15 for six years.

In response, Kim Soo-hyun denied dating the deceased when she was a minor and is currently suing the late Kim Sae-ron's family and Gaseyeon for damages amounting to approximately 12 billion won.

Statement from attorney Bu Ji-seok of Law Firm Buyou, the legal representative of the late Kim Sae-ron's family

I am attorney Bu Ji-seok from Law Firm Buyou, representing the family of the late Kim Sae-ron.

We held a press conference on March 27. The reason was to present evidence that Kim Sae-ron had been dating Kim Soo-hyun when she was a minor, in order to bring closure to the controversy. The family wanted an apology from Kim Soo-hyun, but what they received in return was a lawsuit for damages amounting to about 12 billion won and a complaint, along with Kim Soo-hyun's press conference insisting that he had never dated the deceased when she was a minor. Therefore, the family was cooperating sincerely and providing all materials requested by the investigative agency.

However, while claiming to prove the truth through the investigative agency, Kim Soo-hyun has repeatedly stated that the evidence was manipulated, and YouTuber Lee Jin-ho is also making the same claims without clear evidence. At the same time, Kim Soo-hyun has been excessively filing complaints against the family. Nevertheless, the family believed that the truth would be revealed through the investigative agency and adhered to the principle of no response.

In such a situation, a recent informant assisting the family was offered a bribe to buy crucial evidence for tens of billions of won, and upon refusal, significant risks to the informant's safety arose. We ask for your understanding as we hold this press conference under such urgent circumstances.

On that day, the family filed a lawsuit against Kim Soo-hyun for violating the Child Welfare Act and false accusation through our law firm. Article 17, Section 2 of the Child Welfare Act punishes those who engage in or facilitate obscene acts with children or commit sexual abuse such as sexual harassment against minors. The family confirmed that Kim Soo-hyun had forced the late Kim Sae-ron to engage in obscene acts or committed sexual abuse starting from the winter vacation of her second year in middle school, thus proceeding with the lawsuit for violating the Child Welfare Act.

Kim Soo-hyun has been dating the late Kim Sae-ron since she was a minor. Nevertheless, Kim Soo-hyun filed a lawsuit for defamation against the family, who were stating the truth. Accordingly, the family proceeded with a lawsuit against Kim Soo-hyun for false accusation, claiming he intended to bring about criminal punishment against them.

Together with the lawsuit, we have requested an investigation from the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency. As previously mentioned, the informant faced a life-threatening situation after being attacked with a deadly weapon. The investigation revealed that the attacker was an ethnic Korean who had recently entered the United States, and the person who took the attacker to the scene was also a Korean who had entered the U.S. not long ago. We have requested an investigation into the exact identity of the Korean and the circumstances surrounding the attack.

In addition to threats against the informant's safety, suspicious stalking vehicles have recently been observed near the home of the late Kim Sae-ron's aunt. Therefore, we earnestly request police protection for both the family and Kim Se-ui.

[Photo] OSEN DB, reporter Park Jun-hyung

[OSEN]