Kim Soo Hyun’s legal representative calls case “planned social crime”

28 May 2026, 06:29 by Minsoo-Kim · allkpop

Kim Soo Hyun’s legal representative, attorney Ko Sang Rok, spoke publicly following the arrest of Kim Sae Eui, outlining the actor’s position during an appearance on MBC 'News Today' on May 28 KST.

During the interview, Ko explained that the core allegations involved the spread of false claims that Kim Soo Hyun had been in a long-term relationship with the late Kim Sae Ron since her minor years and that pressure from his agency regarding debt repayment had driven her to death.

Ko further alleged that manipulated evidence, including KakaoTalk conversations and audio recordings purportedly featuring the late actress, had been created to support the claims.

Addressing commentary that an arrest over defamation was unusual, the attorney stated that the severity of the alleged crimes and the scale of damages were significant factors. He emphasized that concerns over evidence tampering were especially serious because, according to the legal team, the central issue of the case itself involved fabricated evidence.

“The crime involved creating false evidence to support fabricated claims,” Ko said, adding that the existence of multiple related parties may have also raised concerns about coordinated testimonies.

When asked about the broader significance of the case, Ko criticized what he described as “cyber wreckers,” referring to individuals who spread provocative rumors and celebrity controversies online for views and profit under the guise of public justice.

He described the case as unprecedented, claiming that not only were unverified allegations and distorted narratives spread, but key materials such as KakaoTalk messages and voice recordings were allegedly manipulated as well.

Ko further argued that the controversy had caused serious reputational damage internationally, stating that Kim Soo Hyun is recognized by audiences around the world. He characterized the matter as a “collective and planned social crime” aimed at destroying the reputation and life of an innocent actor beloved by global audiences.

Regarding potential additional lawsuits, Ko revealed that an initial damages claim of 12 billion KRW(~8 million USD) had been filed shortly after the controversy began last year. However, he stated that the estimated financial losses have since grown substantially.

According to the attorney, materials submitted to investigative authorities currently estimate damages at approximately 30 billion KRW(~20 million USD), and the legal team is considering recalculating and increasing the lawsuit amount further if necessary.

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