Kim Se Ui, the operator of the controversial YouTube channel Garo Sero Institute, has reportedly been assigned to a solitary cell at the Seoul Detention Center after being arrested and indicted on multiple charges, including alleged defamation of actor Kim Soo Hyun. His legal team claims the isolation is necessary because of concerns that he could become the target of personal retaliation from people who have filed lawsuits against him.
According to a report by Kyunghyang Shinmun on June 29, Kim has been held in a single-occupancy cell since early this month. Last month, the Seoul Central District Court approved his arrest warrant, ruling that there were concerns about possible destruction of evidence and the risk of flight. After initially being held at the Gangnam Police Station detention facility, he was later transferred to the Seoul Detention Center.
Kim’s attorneys reportedly argued that his safety could be at risk because of individuals who have accused or sued him in separate legal cases. They claim there is a possibility of personal retaliation while he remains in custody.
Those concerns gained attention after YouTuber Eun Hyun Jang made controversial remarks during a livestream one day after Kim’s arrest. Addressing Kim directly, Eun warned him not to expect a comfortable stay in prison and publicly called on prison cell leaders to contact him. He even claimed he would deposit money into their prison accounts and continue making monthly payments if they “handled things well,” comments that many interpreted as implying retaliation against Kim. Eun previously filed a complaint accusing Kim of spreading false allegations linking him to stock price manipulation.
Kim also failed to appear at the first court hearing in the stalking and intimidation case involving popular YouTuber Tzuyang on June 25. His lawyer told the court that Kim feared potential attacks while in custody, describing the situation as unstable and claiming there were threats against him. The defense requested both a postponement and a closed-door hearing, but the court rejected both requests.
The court is scheduled to hold the next hearing on August 13 and has indicated that it will consider issuing a compulsory appearance warrant if Kim again fails to attend.
Kim was indicted in March on allegations that he repeatedly produced false content exploiting Tzuyang’s private life to generate donations and financial support for his channel. He is also facing trial for allegedly defaming Democratic Party lawmaker Ko Min Jung.
Separately, Kim is expected to stand trial next month in the defamation case involving actor Kim Soo Hyun, with the first hearing scheduled for July 24.
Under South Korea’s correctional system, detainees are generally housed in shared cells. However, prison authorities may assign an inmate to solitary confinement if additional protection or security measures are deemed necessary. Officials have stated that solitary placement is not granted solely upon an inmate’s request but is determined after reviewing the circumstances of each case.
Sources: Daum
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