
The Kim Soo Hyun Prevention Act, a proper petition launched on March 31 by way of the Nationwide Meeting Digital Petition System amid the continuing controversy involving high star Kim Soo Hyun and the late actor Kim Sae Ron, has reportedly gathered over 42,939 signatures. (protecting 86 % of the required 50,000 in simply three days). The Queen of Tears star is accused of courting Sae Ron when she was underage. Whereas each the actor and his company have repeatedly denied the claims, Sae Ron’s household and the GaroSero Analysis Middle, which first broke the information, proceed to push alleged proof to help their stance. If the petition reaches 50,000 signatures throughout the subsequent 26 days, parliamentary committees will formally evaluate it. Nonetheless, a authorized skilled has weighed in, stating that there’s a very low likelihood Soo Hyun will face any prison fees, even when the petition is accepted for evaluate. Right here’s why.
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Kim Soo Hyun might keep away from fees
In line with legal professional Park Sung Bae, who spoke to YTN’s Information UP, Soo Hyun, throughout his latest press convention, confirmed indicators of being extra involved about psychological stress than any industrial relationship harm or monetary points. The skilled identified that the fixed launch of alleged proof could be weighing closely on him mentally. “The household has been regularly releasing proof suggesting an underage relationship, which seemingly pressured Kim Soo Hyun,” Park mentioned (by way of KBIzoom). “Past any potential harm to his business ties or funds, the larger toll appears to be psychological.” Talking about Soo Hyun’s tone in the course of the press convention, Park mentioned, “His assured tone suggests he believes he can refute the allegations with ready counter-evidence.”
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The petition is asking for a giant change in how South Korea handles statutory rape instances, particularly involving minors aged 16 to 18, one thing the legislation doesn’t presently shield effectively in opposition to. Proper now, the legislation solely considers it statutory rape if the sufferer is between 13 and 16 years previous. However the petition calls for the safety be prolonged to anybody underneath 19 and that punishments get harder too. “We suggest elevating the age restrict to 13–19 and rising the minimal sentence to not less than 5 years in jail,” the petitioner wrote.
The petition straight mentions Soo Hyun’s title and blames a authorized loophole that allegedly allowed him to have a relationship with the late actor with out going through any authorized motion. It’s additionally demanding an extended jail sentence than the present two-year minimal for statutory rape, asking for a five-year minimal as an alternative. One line from the petition reads, “A pedophile who seduced and deceived a promising feminine actress from childhood till her loss of life has evaded the legislation… We hereby petition to revise the statutory rape legislation underneath the title of the ‘Kim Soo Hyun Prevention Act.’”
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However legally, issues are difficult. Lawyer Park Sung Bae mentioned the case won’t attain court docket in any respect. “Whether or not Kim Soo Hyun dated Kim Sae Ron when she was a minor is unlikely to grow to be a core authorized concern,” he mentioned. “The household can not maintain him absolutely accountable, but the controversy has unexpectedly centered on this.” Park added that whereas screenshots and messages have gone viral on-line, they might not be sufficient to show him mistaken in a courtroom. “If an individual aged 19 or older has sexual contact with somebody aged 13–16, that counts as statutory rape,” he clarified. “However with out her testimony or stronger proof, the case might not go wherever.” The authorized skilled additionally added that since Sae Ron is not alive, it’s virtually unattainable for the police to hold out a correct investigation both. ““Even when Kim Soo Hyun is accused, the probability of punishment stays low except stronger proof emerges.”