The controversy surrounding Queen of Tears star Kim Soo Hyun continues to spiral out of control as the petition urging to raise the age ceiling for statutory rape law has amassed more than 50,000 signatures.
The latest development on the K-drama scene comes after the South Korean actor’s sudden press conference, where he sought to dismiss allegations of dating the late Kim Sae Ron when she was underage. In the last week of March, the so-called petition titled “Kim Soo Hyun Prevention Act” was floated online in hopes of seeking stricter punishment in such cases.
Claims of Hallyu star Kim Soo Hyun allegedly grooming the former child actress – who is believed to have killed herself on the Queen of Tears actor’s birthday in February – enraged not only the South Korean public, but also global audiences. The top paid K-drama star was instantly branded a “pedophile.” As the general public witnessed the once beloved actor’s reputation falling to pieces, people charged ahead to hold him accountable for the alleged misconduct.
What is the Kim Soo Hyun Prevention Act?
Through the petition that previously surfaced on an online platform of the National Assembly, many urged lawmakers to raise the age of consent in South Korea from the current 16 years to up to 19 years. According to Korean law, South Koreans attain adulthood at 19. Meanwhile, the age of consent is 16. As reported by the South China Morning Post, it means that anyone engaging in sexual intercourse with an underage individual aged 13 and 16, or indulging in intimate acts with those under 13 is considered rape.
Calling for an improved penalty for statutory rape, the anonymous petitioner said, “The age limit for statutory rape … has allowed a pedophile, who seduced and deceived a promising female actress from childhood until her death, to evade the law.”
As of 5 pm KST on April 7, the National Assembly’s petition site showed the “Kim Soo Hyun Prevention Act” petition having garnered 51,083 signatures. K-media outlet MyDaily noted that a National Assembly petition must receive 50,000 signatures within 30 days of being posted so that it can move forward for consideration within 90 days. As of yesterday, the petition has hit the threshold needed for it to be bumped to the next level in the National Assembly.
Kim Soo Hyun controversy: Hoping for stricter punishment, higher age of consent
Those signing the petition want the age of consent — which used to be as shockingly low as 13 at one point — to be raised to protect children under 19, and revise the law under the name “Kim Soo Hyun Prevention Act” in light of the recent controversy cycle provoking outrage. The petition also demands the punishment in such cases to be revised from fines for molestation and minimum of two years imprisonment for rape to a minimum of two years imprisonment for molestation and a minimum of five years imprisonment for rape.
To better protect children under 16 from sexual exploitation, South Korea raised the age of consent from 13 to 16 in 2020.
Kim Soo Hyun denied dating an underage Kim Sae Ron
“It feels like too many people are suffering because of me. I am sorry,” Kim Soo Hyun said at the Seoul press conference held on March 31 — the same the petition was posted. “It pains me to think that even the deceased may not be able to rest in peace.”
Reports of Kim Soo Hyun and Kim Sae Ron’s alleged relationship first emerged while tvN’s Queen of Tears was on air and was fleshing out a record-breaking streak for the Korean network while simultaneously establishing its dedicated global fanbase. Denying the possibility of dating the Bloodhounds actress when she was a minor, he said through a tearful address at the conference, “The late Kim Sae Ron and I dated for a year, five years ago—four years before ‘Queen of Tears’ aired. At that time, I denied our relationship.”