Actor Kim Soo-hyun has won court approval to seize luxury properties owned by controversial YouTuber Kim Se-ui, in a significant development tied to a 12 billion won ($8.7 million) defamation lawsuit filed by Kim's agency, Gold Medalist.

On June 9, the Seoul Central District Court granted a provisional seizure order for two high-value apartments held by Kim Se-ui, a member of the right-wing YouTube channel Garo Sero Research Institute.

The order allows Kim Soo-hyun's legal team to secure assets in advance of a possible judgment, citing concerns that the defendant may not have sufficient assets to cover potential damages.

"The court has indeed approved the provisional seizure of properties under Kim Se-ui's name," Kim Soo-hyun's legal counsel, LKB & Partners, said in an official statement.

"This provisional seizure is a preemptive measure related to the damages lawsuit. It aims to secure assets in advance, considering that even if we win the case, actual compensation could be difficult if the defendant lacks assets."

The assets seized include a 120.27-square-meter unit in Seocho Buksan Blooming and a 208.65-square-meter unit in Apgujeong-dong's Hanyang Complex 4.

Kim Se-ui reportedly co-owns the Apgujeong property with his sister, but the seizure applies only to his 50 percent share.

The gold medalist is seeking 4 billion won in damages, with 2 billion won secured against each of the properties.

The overall civil case claims a total of 12 billion won in damages, stemming from defamatory allegations made by Kim Se-ui against Kim Soo-hyun earlier this year.

Attorney Noh Jong-eon of Law Firm Jonjae, not involved in the case, told Money Today that the court's decision reflects reasonable grounds to believe in the validity of the damages claim.

However, he cautioned, "Since this is a provisional seizure, Kim Se-ui's rebuttal has yet to be reviewed. The final compensation could change after a full hearing."

According to current market estimates, the Seocho property is valued at approximately 2.5 billion won, while a comparable unit in Apgujeong recently sold for 8.87 billion won.

However, both properties reportedly carry significant outstanding loans, which may complicate the full recovery of the damages.

Separately, Kim Soo-hyun is also facing scrutiny over a reported seizure order targeting his own luxury apartment in Galleria Foret, Seongsu-dong, valued at about 13.5 billion won.

According to Woman's Sense magazine, the Seoul Eastern District Court accepted a provisional seizure request for 3 billion won filed by Classys Co., Ltd.

Kim's agency has said it is "still verifying facts" and has not confirmed the report.

The legal feud stems from allegations made in March by Kim Se-ui, who claimed on his YouTube channel that Kim Soo-hyun had an "inappropriate relationship" with actress Kim Sae-ron during her underage years.

Gold Medalist initially denied the claims, later clarifying that the relationship began in 2019, after the actress had reached the legal age of adulthood.

Kim Soo-hyun's legal team filed criminal and civil charges against both Kim Se-ri and Kim Sae-ron's family, citing defamation under the Information and Communications Network Act and violations of sexual violence laws.

In response, Kim Sae-ron's family filed a counterclaim, accusing the actor of making false accusations and violating child welfare laws.

Public opinion over the mounting row has been heated, with netizens taking to online forums and social media in droves to share their thoughts on the issue.

The litigation is likely to continue for the next several weeks as both sides prepare for full hearings.