Kim Se-ui, head of the Garo Sero Research Institute who has been indicted and detained on charges including defamation of actor Kim Soo-hyun, has asked the court to release him citing mental health issues.

Kim made the request during a bail hearing held on the 15th by Criminal Settlement Division 26 of the Seoul Central District Court (Presiding Judge Lee Hyun-kyung).

Kim's legal counsel claimed that Kim is living in solitary confinement due to security threats stemming from broadcasts threatening him, stating, "He suffers from mental illnesses such as panic disorder, and living in solitary confinement raises concerns of harming his mental health."

The counsel also stated that "deposit funds have been seized, making it impossible even to purchase medication," while arguing that Kim has a fixed residence, poses no flight risk, and presents no danger of harming the victims.

The counsel further mentioned that the National Forensic Service replied that its appraisal of an audio file was inconclusive regarding whether it was fabricated using artificial intelligence (AI).

Given an opportunity to speak directly during the hearing, Kim emphasized, "I am clearly confident of my innocence in this trial, so there is no reason for me to flee."

He stated that at the time of the investigation, "When I heard the news that an arrest warrant was being sought while I was abroad to cover the sexual reception allegations involving Ulsan mayoral candidate Kim Sang-wook and Gangwon gubernatorial candidate Woo Sang-ho, I entered the country and underwent a warrant review."

Kim also claimed that there is no risk of flight because Kim Soo-hyun's side filed a civil lawsuit worth approximately 15 billion won against him and the bereaved family of Kim Sae-ron, resulting in the provisional seizure of his apartment, adding, "I must protect my precious apartment."

He argued, "Due to my detention, I have already been demonized by various media outlets, and my reputation has been severely damaged," maintaining that "the broadcasts were not made by simply listening to unilateral claims, but through reporting and analysis."

Meanwhile, prosecutors countered that if released on bail, Kim "is highly likely to spread distorted facts by claiming that the bail implies innocence."

Prosecutors stated, "Kim has been broadcasting by sending letters from the detention center, and in the process, he is leaking trial documents for purposes other than intended," adding that the risk of reoffending and concerns over harming victims are also high.

They further rebutted that the reason for withdrawing certain pieces of evidence, such as the audio file appraisal results, was out of concern that they would be exploited in Kim's broadcasts, accusing Kim's side of misleading the public as if grounds for detention do not exist.

Kim was indicted and detained in June on charges of spreading false information via YouTube and other platforms—specifically that Kim Soo-hyun had dated Kim Sae-ron when she was a minor, and that pressure from Kim Soo-hyun's side to repay debt was the direct cause of Kim Sae-ron's death.

He also faces charges of unauthorized transmission of Kim Soo-hyun's private photos during broadcasts, threatening him by hinting at exposing private-life materials and demanding a public apology.

In addition, Kim is currently on trial for defamation against the son of Cho Kuk, director of the Innovation Policy Institute of the Rebuilding Korea Party, as well as stalking and threatening YouTuber Tzuyang (real name Park Jung-won).

(Photo: Yonhap News)