Kim Se-eui, who claimed personal safety threat, held in solitary at Seoul Detention Center

Kim Se-eui, head of the YouTube channel Garo Sero Research Institute, has been confirmed to be held in solitary confinement. He was indicted and detained on charges of spreading false information about actor Kim Soo-hyun in connection with the death of the late Kim Sae-ron.

According to legal sources Sunday, Kim has been assigned to a solitary cell at Seoul Detention Center since early this month, when prosecutors took him into custody.

Kim requested solitary confinement, claiming he could face personal safety threats from victims in cases filed against him.

Corrections authorities typically house inmates in shared cells, but may assign solitary confinement through proper procedures when deemed necessary for inmate protection or the maintenance of order at the facility. "He was placed in solitary as a matter of inmate management," a corrections authority official said.

Shortly after his detention, Kim received public warnings from at least one party.

On May 27, YouTuber Eun Hyeon-jang, known by the handle "Jangsa-ui Shin," told Kim during a live broadcast, "Don't think you'll be comfortable in prison." On June 26, Eun said he had filed for a provisional seizure of 100 million won ($64,800) in Kim's prison account, adding, "I will make absolutely sure Kim Se-eui can't even buy a sausage in there."

Earlier, Garo Sero Research Institute had raised various allegations against Eun in 2023, including claims of stock price manipulation, involvement in cryptocurrency fraud, and questions about his assets. Eun subsequently filed a complaint against Kim on charges including defamation, alleging that Kim had falsely spread rumors that he had manipulated stock prices.

Meanwhile, Kim was indicted and detained June 23 on charges of defamation and violation of the Act on Special Cases Concerning the Punishment of Sexual Violence Crimes. Prosecutors allege he spread false claims through YouTube and other platforms — that Kim Soo-hyun had dated the late Kim Sae-ron when she was a minor, and that pressure from Kim Soo-hyun's side to repay debts was the direct cause of her death.

He also faces charges of violating the Stalking Punishment Act for allegedly airing Kim Soo-hyun's private photos without consent during broadcasts, threatening to expose personal materials, and demanding a public apology.