There is growing public interest in the police summons of Kim Se-ui (48), head of the YouTube channel Hover Lab.
The case was originally filed in February by popular YouTuber Tzuyang, who accused Kim of blackmail, coercion, defamation under the Information and Communications Network Act, and violating the Anti-Stalking Act. Though the case was initially dismissed, Tzuyang filed an appeal, prompting a supplementary investigation. She completed her statement at the Gangnam Police Station on May 9.
The police reportedly notified Kim Se-ui of the investigation schedule in relation to the so-called “Tzuyang case,” but he postponed it twice. It’s been revealed that he cited the presidential election and related broadcasting duties as his reason for not being available.
Attorney Kim Tae-yeon, Tzuyang’s legal representative, told SBS Entertainment News, “Even after the election, we inquired with the police, but were told that the suspect has still not been questioned. The police are even considering visiting his home to coordinate the schedule directly.”
In a separate case filed around April, actor Kim Soo-hyun also accused Kim Se-ui of defamation and violating the Act on Special Cases Concerning the Punishment of Sexual Crimes (distribution of footage taken with a camera). Kim Soo-hyun has reportedly completed all required statements.
A representative of Kim Soo-hyun said, “We can't disclose details, but we understand the suspect has already postponed the investigation twice. We’re not aware of the reasons.”
Given that Kim cited presidential election coverage as the reason for postponing, and more than a week has passed since the election concluded, speculation is rising that a police summons could be imminent.
A police official was quoted as saying, “If he continues to ignore summons without a valid reason, we may have no choice but to escalate the investigation through compulsory measures such as issuing an arrest warrant.”
(SBS Entertainment News | Kang Kyung-youn)