Kim Soo-hyun, appears as closed-door witness…Kim Se-yi "I also want to meet and ask questions"

[Dispatch=Reporter Kim So-jeong] Actor Kim Soo-hyun appeared as a witness in closed session at the trial of Kim Se-ui, head of "Garo Sero Lab." After denying the allegations, Kim Se-ui raised his voice, saying, "Please let me meet Kim Soo-hyun directly."

The 26th Criminal Division of the Seoul Central District Court (Presiding Judge Lee Hyun-kyung) held the first trial date for Kim Se-ui at 2 p.m. on the 11th. Kim Se-ui is accused of violating the Information and Communications Network Act (defamation) and the Sexual Violence Punishment Act, among other charges.

Kim Soo-hyun entered the courtroom in closed session. Around 1:40 p.m., he attended quietly using the underground entrance route. Kim Soo-hyun's side is reported to have requested witness protection from the court.

On this day, Kim Se-ui claimed innocence to all charges. Kim Se-ui's legal representative, attorney Lee Seung-hyung, said, "The facts stated are not false facts. (Kim Soo-hyun and the late Kim Sae-ron) dated during their teenage years."

Kim Se-ui was also given an opportunity to speak. "On October 15th last year, I submitted an analysis report from a professor at Korea University's Forensics Center stating that the voice recording of Kim Sae-ron and an acquaintance in New Jersey, USA was not AI-generated manipulation," he said.

He emphasized that it was not fabricated. "February 10, 2025, 3:14:26 p.m.—that's the file creation time. It was when the deceased was alive and residing in New Jersey. My Kim Soo-hyun broadcast was on March 10, 2025, so it would be impossible to manipulate the voice before the deceased passed away," he argued.

As Kim Se-ui's voice grew louder during his statement, the judge intervened. "Don't raise your voice; speak calmly. State only the charges. Otherwise, I will stop you," the judge warned. Kim Se-ui continued, saying, "It will be over soon."

He also requested bail. "Today is the witness examination of Kim Soo-hyun, but I cannot even conduct investigations. It's unfair. I want to face world star Kim Soo-hyun in a fair legal battle in full condition. It is something I must do to resolve the resentment of Kim Sae-ron and her bereaved family," he said.

Kim Soo-hyun's witness examination was conducted in closed session. Kim Se-ui's acquaintances and press members who were in the spectator section waited outside. Kim Se-ui protested, "I want to question Kim Soo-hyun directly." However, the court rejected this, saying, "We will give you an opportunity to ask questions through your attorney."

Kim Se-ui waited in a separate listening room outside the courtroom only during Kim Soo-hyun's witness examination. He was able to write questions on a notepad. The two are reported not to have faced each other during the witness examination process.

Meanwhile, Kim Se-ui is accused of spreading false information about Kim Soo-hyun and damaging his reputation through the YouTube channel "Garo Sero Lab" a total of 25 times from March to December last year. He was indicted in custody in June.

Kim Soo-hyun's side filed for a preliminary injunction in September requesting the deletion of 45 videos posted on "Garo Sero Lab." The reason given was that his reputation and right to personality were violated through false videos.

by. Kim So Jung