'Tzuyang defamation' suspect Kim Se-eui denies charges at first trial

Kim Se-eui, head of the YouTube channel Garo Sero Yeonguso — commonly known as Gaseyon — denied all charges at his first trial Thursday. Kim faces charges of defamation under the Information and Communications Network Act, violation of the Stalking Punishment Act and intimidation, stemming from allegations that he spread false information about YouTuber Tzuyang, whose real name is Park Jeong-won, and stalked and threatened her.

Judge Jeong A-yeong of Seoul Central District Court's Criminal Division 20 presided over the opening hearing Thursday.

Kim's defense attorney denied the charges related to spreading false information and exposing Tzuyang's private life, arguing that "there is more truth than falsehood in what was reported." The attorney added that reporting on harm suffered by Park — Tzuyang's real name — could not constitute defamation, and that the indictment had been filed before sufficient evidence was gathered to establish what was true and what was false.

On the stalking charge, the defense said Kim had never approached Park, arguing that stalking by definition requires a perpetrator to approach the victim.

Given the opportunity to speak, Kim said the broadcasts were intended to expose the crimes of fellow YouTubers Jujak Gambyeolsa, whose real name is Jeon Guk-jin, and Gujeyek, whose real name is Lee Jun-hee. "It is unfortunate that the prosecutor is characterizing what I said as false," he said.

Kim's legal team requested three witnesses to verify facts related to Tzuyang's private life mentioned in the broadcasts. The court accepted the request but said it would bar questions that could cause secondary harm to the victim.

Three additional defamation cases — involving other individuals allegedly targeted in Kim's YouTube broadcasts — were also heard Thursday alongside the Tzuyang-related case. Kim's side denied all charges in those cases as well, arguing the broadcasts served the public interest and were not made with intent to defame.

In July 2024, Kim released, without Tzuyang's consent, audio recordings related to her past work at an adult entertainment establishment, claiming she had been blackmailed over it by Gujeyek. He continued broadcasting content suggesting Tzuyang's own account of events was untrue, which led to her filing a complaint against him.

Prosecutors indicted Kim without detention in March, alleging he had persistently and repeatedly broadcast content spreading false information about Tzuyang and exposing her private life through his YouTube channel for financial gain.

In a separate case, Kim was indicted in custody in June on charges of spreading false information — including claims that the late actor Kim Sae-ron died due to financial pressure from actor Kim Soo-hyun. The first hearing in that case is scheduled for Friday.