Public Outcry Grows Over YouTube Channel 'Garo Sero Research Institute'

The YouTube channel 'Garo Sero Research Institute' (가로세로연구소), commonly referred to as 가세연, is facing significant backlash from netizens. An online petition advocating for a 'Garo Sero Prevention Law' has quickly gained traction, calling for reforms to combat the spread of false information and human rights violations on online platforms.

On May 27, a post titled 'Please Support the Garo Sero Prevention Law Petition' appeared on various online communities. This petition is officially registered on the National Assembly's electronic petition site, titled 'Petition for System Improvement to Prevent Repeated Dissemination of False Information and Human Rights Violations on Online Platforms,' and will be open for signatures until June 21.

As of midnight on May 28, over 19,000 people have signed the petition. The petitioner expressed concern, stating, 'Many individuals are suffering due to the indiscriminate dissemination of unverified facts by Garo Sero. The social harm is increasing daily, leading to cases where individuals and their families have had their privacy exposed, resulting in extreme choices.'

The petition further highlights that victims include not only ordinary citizens but also celebrities and politicians, leading to widespread distrust and chaos in society. It demands thorough investigations, legal penalties, suspension of broadcasts, platform sanctions, regulation of cyber harassment, and restoration of victims' reputations.

Recently, Garo Sero has stirred controversy by representing the family of the late actress Kim Sae-ron and making explosive claims against actor Kim Soo-hyun. In a press conference earlier this month, they alleged that Kim Soo-hyun and Kim Sae-ron had been in a relationship since middle school, claiming that Kim Sae-ron had her first sexual encounter during her second year of middle school, and that they possess audio recordings to support these claims. They also alleged that Kim Soo-hyun's camp attempted to bribe the informant with 4 billion KRW to hand over the recordings, and when the informant refused, they allegedly tried to have him killed.

In response, Kim Soo-hyun's agency, Gold Medalist, strongly refuted these claims, stating that the audio recordings were confirmed to be fabricated using AI technology and that Garo Sero's assertions contain no truth whatsoever. They also accused Garo Sero's representative of maliciously defaming Kim Soo-hyun based on manipulated audio and downloaded images, and have filed a lawsuit seeking approximately 12 billion KRW in damages against Garo Sero and the family of the deceased.

Garo Sero has previously been embroiled in controversies involving various celebrities, including Park Soo-hong and Tzuyang. The current situation surrounding Kim Soo-hyun has reignited discussions about the need for regulations against cyber harassment. Attention is now focused on whether there will be further discussions at the government and National Assembly levels regarding this issue.