South Korea arrests YouTuber over alleged AI fake audio about Kim Soo-hyun

In short: South Korean police arrested and jailed a YouTuber they say used AI-made fake audio to falsely accuse actor Kim Soo-hyun of dating Kim Sae-ron when she was underage.

What happened

South Korean police and a Seoul court confirmed the arrest of Kim Se-ui, the head of the YouTube channel Hover Lab, also known as the Garo Sero Institute. He was jailed after the Seoul Central District Court approved an arrest warrant.

Police say Kim created or used an audio recording that was generated with artificial intelligence voice technology. That means software can imitate a person’s voice, like a high quality audio impersonation. The recording was presented as if it were actress Kim Sae-ron saying she had a sexual relationship and dated actor Kim Soo-hyun since middle school.

After a forensic investigation, police concluded the audio was fabricated. Local reports also said some other materials released alongside it, including KakaoTalk chat logs, were fabricated or doctored.

The court approved the warrant on charges that include defamation, attempted coercion, intimidation, and violating laws related to distributing illegally produced content. The court cited concerns about destroying evidence and the risk of fleeing.

Kim Se-ui has denied the allegations. Kim Soo-hyun’s agency said in a statement that “the truth has finally prevailed,” and thanked investigators for relying on objective evidence.

Why it matters

This case shows how AI voice tools can be used to create convincing audio that appears to be real. For regular people, it is a reminder to be cautious with sensational recordings online, especially when they are used to accuse someone of serious wrongdoing.

Source: NYTimes