Kim Soo Hyun’s name used to sell stories without proof: 25 media outlets cautioned by Korea’s Ethics panel | Korean News

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The Korea Press Ethics Commission (KPEC) has officially warned 25 media outlets across the country about using Kim Soo Hyun’s name in their reports covering the grooming incident related to Kim Sae Ron. According to the committee, not only are these unverified grooming allegations, but the actor has not been found guilty in the case. KPEC further suggests that the stories, widely covered by the press, lacked evidence and, as per the commission, broke key journalistic ethics.

Also read: Kim Soo Hyun’s accuser loses big in high-profile case against YouTuber Tzuyang; court slaps ₩10 million fine per video

Kim Soo Hyun Prevention Act: 25 media outlets face heat

The statement seems to have emerged from a petition filed in the National Assembly earlier this year. After Kim Sae Ron’s tragic passing and Garo Sero’s “evidence,” the petition asked for a change in South Korea’s statutory rape law. Titled the Kim Soo Hyun Prevention Act, the widely circulated petition pushed to raise the age of consent. However, the ethics committee noted that in the whole case, Kim Soo Hyun’s name was dragged in without any solid proof, just rumours surrounding his alleged relationship with the late Bloodhounds star. The petition made global headlines with the title “Kim Soo Hyun Prevention Law,” which, according to the panel, was completely wrong and misleading.

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Also read: Kim Soo Hyun moves National Forensic Service after his plush apartment seized; to challenge Garosero’s ‘fabricated’ evidence

“These reports uncritically repeated one-sided claims from YouTube without verification, paired with sensational titles aimed at provoking sexual imagination. Such reporting lacks the responsibility expected of the press,” KPEC said according to KBIZoom. KPEC made it clear that using a real person’s name in connection with a serious criminal accusation, especially without proof, unfairly paints them as guilty in the public eye.

Earlier, around 14 media houses were cautioned for reports after Kim Sae Ron’s death. The same commission flagged 14 online articles that had repeated unverified and sensational claims taken from YouTube channels, channels that are now battling it out in court. They pointed out articles with headlines such as “Kim Soo-hyun’s nude photo found at girlfriend’s house” and “Kim Sae-ron naked doing dishes.” The committee slammed the media houses for running with these without fact-checking the so-called evidence, calling it irresponsible and damaging, not just to the people involved, but also to their families and fans.

According to the panel, the organisations breached the country’s ethical journalistic code of conduct, citing Article 10 and Article 11 of journalistic standards. They stated that such headlines can take a toll on someone’s mental health and cause further harm.

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