A petition pushing for tougher laws on statutory rape in South Korea has taken a big step forward. Known as the “Kim Soo Hyun Prevention Act,” it has crossed the 50,000-signature mark on the National Assembly’s online platform. This means it’s now set for an official review, sparked by public outrage over claims tied to actor Kim Soo Hyun and the late actress Kim Sae Ron.
The petition hit 51,083 signatures by 5 p.m. on April 7, 2025, just a week after being posted on March 31. In South Korea, any petition reaching 50,000 signatures within 30 days moves to a National Assembly committee for discussion. From there, the committee has 90 days to decide if it goes to a full assembly vote. With the numbers already locked in, the “Kim Soo Hyun Prevention Act” is on track to be examined soon.
This push comes amid a firestorm surrounding Kim Soo Hyun, a major Hallyu star, and allegations about his past with Kim Sae Ron, who passed away in February 2025 at age 24. The petition’s creator pointed to this case as the driving force, saying it exposed a gap in the law that needs fixing.
What’s Behind the Petition?
The petition zeroes in on South Korea’s current statutory rape laws, which only cover minors aged 13 to under 16. The petitioner argues this leaves older teens unprotected, even though the legal definition of a minor goes up to 18.
Here’s what they wrote:
“Recently, the grooming sex crime committed by Hallyu star Kim Soo Hyun against child actress Kim Sae Ron—who was a minor at the time—has come to light, enraging the public. Unfortunately, statutory rape laws currently only protect children aged 13 to under 16, which means Kim Soo Hyun cannot be legally punished.”
They added:
“South Korean law clearly defines minors as those under 18, yet the statutory rape law only protects those aged 13 to under 16, allowing pedophiles to escape legal consequences.”
The goal? Close that gap and make sure predators face justice. They’ve named the proposed law the “Kim Soo Hyun Prevention Act” to highlight the issue and stop it from happening again.
What Changes Are They Asking For?
The petition lays out two clear demands to overhaul the law:
Raise the age range covered by statutory rape laws from the current 13–15 years old to 13–18 years old (meaning anyone under 19).
Change the punishment from the current fines for molestation and a minimum of 2 years imprisonment for rape, to a minimum of 2 years imprisonment for molestation and a minimum of 5 years imprisonment for rape.
Right now, if someone over 19 has sexual contact with a minor aged 13 to 16, it’s statutory rape—no consent matters. But for 16- to 18-year-olds, the law doesn’t offer the same protection. The petition wants that fixed, with harsher penalties to match.
The Kim Soo Hyun and Kim Sae Ron Controversy
The petition’s fuel comes from a messy scandal involving Kim Soo Hyun, 37, and the late Kim Sae Ron. Allegations surfaced that he dated her when she was underage, starting as early as 2015 when she was 15 and he was 27. Her family, backed by a YouTube channel called HoverLab, claims the relationship lasted six years and included grooming. They’ve shared supposed evidence like photos and messages.
Kim Soo Hyun fired back at a press conference on March 31, 2025, at the Stanford Hotel in Seoul. Breaking down in tears, he denied it all:
“I did not have a relationship with the deceased while she was a minor.”
He insisted their romance started in 2019, when she was 19 and he was 31, lasting about a year. He and his agency, Gold Medalist, have since sued HoverLab, a woman claiming to be Kim Sae Ron’s aunt, and others for 12 billion won (around $8.18 million USD) in damages, calling the accusations defamation.
But the public isn’t buying it. Online, hashtags like “fake tears” and “King of Tears”—a jab at his drama Queen of Tears—trended hard. Evidence from HoverLab, including alleged 2018 KakaoTalk messages, has kept the debate raging. Kim Sae Ron’s family says the fallout, plus pressure over a 700 million won debt, contributed to her suicide.
Why This Matters
This isn’t just about one celebrity. The petition’s rapid rise—over 50,000 signatures in days—shows how fed up people are. South Korea’s legal system treats 19 as the adult age, yet the statutory rape cutoff at 16 has left a gray area. Parents and advocates say it’s a loophole predators exploit, and they want it gone.
If the “Kim Soo Hyun Prevention Act” passes, it could reshape how the country protects teens. Raising the age to 19 and jacking up jail time would send a message: no one gets a free pass. The committee review is the next hurdle, and all eyes are on what they’ll do.
Where Things Stand
Both sides in the Kim Soo Hyun saga are dug in. His lawsuits are rolling, while Kim Sae Ron’s family plans a press conference with forensic evidence—possibly texts or metadata—to prove their side. The actor’s career is taking hits too; he’s lost most of his 16 brand deals, down to just four, with only one South Korean company sticking by him.
The petition’s success doesn’t mean the law’s changed yet. It’s got to clear the committee and, if approved, a full National Assembly vote. But with public anger this loud, it’s hard to ignore.
