The family of the late Kim Sae-ron filed a complaint against actor Kim Soo-hyun to the police for violating child welfare laws and false accusations.
Attorney Boo Ji-seok, legal representative of Kim Sae-ron's family, said at a press conference held on the 7th at Space Share in Samseong-dong, Gangnam, Seoul, "Today, the family filed a complaint against Kim Soo-hyun for violations of child welfare laws and false accusations through this law firm," and added, "It has been confirmed that Kim Soo-hyun engaged in indecent acts and sexual harassment against the late Kim Sae-ron since her winter break in the 2nd year of middle school when she was a minor."
The family of Kim Sae-ron revealed recorded conversations from January this year, in which she met with a source (acquaintance) in New Jersey, USA. This source is reported to have known Kim Sae-ron for 10 years. When the source cautiously asked about the possibility of sexual relations, Kim Sae-ron replied, "I did it in 2nd year of middle school," adding, "Looking back now, should I say I was victimized? Not many people know about this, but everyone says I'm crazy. They asked why I was left alone."
In connection with this, attorney Boo noted, "Even if Kim Sae-ron did not refuse to have sexual relations with Kim Soo-hyun at the time, she is considered to be of an age where she could not protect herself because she was a minor," asserting that it constitutes "clear child abuse."
Attorney Boo explained, "Article 17, Section 2 of the child welfare law punishes those who compel children to engage in indecent acts or engage in sexual abuse such as sexual harassment targeting children," and added, "The family confirmed that Kim Soo-hyun compelled the late Kim Sae-ron, who was a minor during her winter break in 2nd year of middle school, to engage in indecent acts and sexual abuse, and proceeded with the complaint for violations of the child welfare law."
Attorney Boo reiterated, "Kim Soo-hyun has been in a relationship with the late Kim Sae-ron since she was a minor." He continued, "Kim Soo-hyun filed a complaint for defamation against the family for spreading false information, stating that he made false accusations with the intent to have the family criminally prosecuted."
The family of Kim Sae-ron claimed through the YouTube channel Garosero Research Institute (hereinafter referred to as Gaseyeon) since March that Kim Soo-hyun had been in a relationship with the deceased since 2015, when she was a minor, for six years. In this process, private messages and photos exchanged between Kim Soo-hyun and Kim Sae-ron were also revealed.
In relation to this, Kim Soo-hyun's agency, Gold Medalist, stated that they dated for a year from the summer of 2019, when Kim Sae-ron was an adult, to the fall of 2020, and denied all allegations surrounding him. They have also filed a lawsuit for damages amounting to 12 billion won against the family and Gaseyeon. Currently, it is reported that Kim Soo-hyun is facing lawsuits from some advertisers for the return of model fees and damages.
Previously, Gold Medalist expressed serious concerns regarding the press conference held that day, stating, "We express serious concerns about the dissemination of false information concerning Kim Soo-hyun following the last press conference," and begged, "When reporting on unverified unilateral claims, please verify the facts with us to prevent unjust harm from the dissemination and amplification of false information."
On the 9th, LKB & Partners, the legal representative of Kim Soo-hyun and Gold Medalist, filed a complaint against Kim Se-eui for defamation under the Information and Communications Network Act and for violations of the Stalking Punishment Act. Additionally, the family of Kim Sae-ron also filed a complaint for defamation under the Information and Communications Network Act.
LKB & Partners claimed, "Mr. Kim's statements are complete lies without an inch of truth," adding, "Mr. Kim indiscriminately spread absurd falsehoods about actor Kim Soo-hyun based on forged recorded files and photos downloaded from the Internet."