[Sportschosun Kim Jun-seok] Kim Se-ui, the head of the YouTube channel Garo Sero Institute, who was indicted and detained on charges including defaming actor Kim Soo-hyun, is reportedly being held in a solitary cell at Seoul Detention Center.
Kim's side claims there is a risk of terror attacks and retaliation against him.
According to the legal community on the 28th, Kim was transferred to Seoul Detention Center earlier this month and has reportedly been living in a solitary cell since then.
Earlier, the Seoul Central District Court issued an arrest warrant for Kim on the 26th of last month, saying there was a risk of destroying evidence and fleeing. He was then moved from Gangnam Police Station's detention facility to Seoul Detention Center.
Kim's side says the reason for his solitary confinement is the possibility that he could face threats to his safety from the victims in the cases he has been accused of and reported for.
Soon after Kim was detained, YouTuber Eunhyeonjang, known as 'The Master of Business,' made harsh remarks during a YouTube live broadcast, saying, "Don't think you can go into prison and take it easy."
At the time, Eunhyeonjang also stirred controversy by saying, "If the prison cell leader sends me a letter, I will deposit money into the inmate account," and "If you treat me well, I will send money every month."
More recently, he said he had filed a provisional seizure request for 100 million won in inmate account funds against Kim, continuing his legal response.
Kim's side raised the same concerns again during the first trial on the stalking and intimidation charges related to YouTuber Tzuyang, whose real name is Park Jeong-won, held on the 25th.
His lawyer said, "There is currently a terror threat, so we are being careful even inside the detention center," and requested a postponement of the trial, a closed hearing, and restrictions on spectators. The court did not accept the request.
The court set the next hearing for August 13 and decided to review whether to issue a writ to bring Kim in.
Correctional authorities generally place inmates in shared cells, but if there is a recognized need for protection or for maintaining order at the facility, they can place them in solitary cells through internal procedures.
However, they say they do not disclose the reasons why a particular inmate is assigned to solitary confinement.
Meanwhile, Kim is also facing trial over the Tzuyang case and a defamation case involving Democratic Party of Korea lawmaker Ko Min-jung, in addition to the defamation charges related to actor Kim Soo-hyun.
The first hearing in the Kim Soo-hyun case is scheduled for next month on the 24th.
narusi@sportschosun.com
