Kim Se-ui, CEO of Gaseyeon, on the 26th of last month [Yonhap News file photo]

Kim Se-ui, CEO of the Gaseoro Sero Institute, who was arrested on charges of spreading false information about actor Kim Soo-hyun, has claimed his release.

The Seoul Central District Court held a hearing on the 2nd of May to review the legality and necessity of Kim's arrest, which he applied for on the 31st of last month, on charges including defamation, intimidation, and attempted coercion.

After about an hour of review, Kim, with his hands bound by ropes, emerged from the courtroom and claimed that his detention was leading to defamation against the late Kim Sae-ron.

He stated, "As I am detained and unable to actively respond, a certain group is, as if they were waiting, spreading severe false information and defaming me and the bereaved family of actor Kim Sae-ron. It could lead to a situation where the claims made by myself and the family are all deemed lies. That is why the outcome of today's detention review is important."

Kim, who is being held at the Seoul Gangnam Police Station detention center, appeared in court dressed in a suit. The court is expected to reach a decision as early as this afternoon.

Kim is accused of spreading information through YouTube and other platforms, alleging that Kim Soo-hyun was in a relationship with Kim Sae-ron when she was a minor, and that Kim Sae-ron's death was caused by pressure from Kim Soo-hyun's side to repay debts.

He is also accused of defaming Kim Soo-hyun by manipulating Kim Sae-ron's voice using artificial intelligence (AI) to fabricate statements such as, "I first had sexual relations with Kim Soo-hyun during the winter vacation of my second year of middle school."