Kim Soo-Hyun Case, Lee Sun-Kyun’s tragic death spark petition for ‘Gaseyeon Prevention Act’

In the wake of a disturbing wave of cyberbullying and fabricated AI allegations, South Korea is witnessing a growing call for legislative action. The latest spark came after actor Kim Soo-Hyun was targeted with manipulated AI content by the controversial Garosero Research Institute. The public outrage has culminated in a national petition for the enactment of the Gaseyeon Prevention Act, aimed at curbing digital defamation, fake news, and cyber abuse.

The proposed act seeks to protect both celebrities and ordinary citizens from malicious online behavior. The petition was filed in the National Assembly as a response to not only Soo-Hyun’s case but also the tragic suicide of actor Lee Sun-Kyun in 2023, who was a victim of blackmail and slander. As of now, over 15,800 people have signed the petition, and if it reaches 50,000 signatures within 30 days, it will be formally taken up by the Assembly.

Garosero has been under scrutiny for orchestrating hate campaigns through paid trolls and spreading rumors that caused severe reputational and psychological damage to its targets. The petition claims that their actions have led some victims to contemplate suicide, and in some cases, even targeted their families. Reporter Kang Kyung-Yoon, too, faced defamatory attacks from the group.

Celebrities such as singer Kim Gun-mo, broadcaster Park Soo-hong, actress Han Ye-seul, YouTuber Tzuyang, and the late Lee Sun-Kyun were among those impacted by similar smear campaigns. Most recently, Garosero alleged that Kim Soo-Hyun was involved in a relationship with actress Kim Sae-Ron when she was a minor — a claim that led the actor to file a lawsuit against Kim Se-ui and Sae-Ron’s family for defamation and stalking.