Tax authorities in South Korea have seized an apartment owned by actress Kim Sa-rang, the former Miss Korea winner best known for the drama "Secret Garden." 

Korean media outlet Ilyo Shinmun reported on May 15 that the Samsung Tax Office under South Korea’s National Tax Service seized an apartment owned by the 48-year-old actress in Gimpo, Gyeonggi Province in April due to tax arrears.

Public records identified the lienholder as “the State,” while the disposing authority was listed as the “head of Samsung Tax Office.” The cause of registration was stated as “Tax Collection Division.”

Kim’s apartment had an assessed value of 366 million won (about $244,386) as of January this year. Its estimated market value is reportedly around 600 million won (about $400,633).

Korean actress Kim Sa-rang (Instagram)

Korean actress Kim Sa-rang (Instagram)

The Samsung Tax Office declined to comment when asked by Ilyo Shinmun about the actress’ unpaid taxes and the amount involved.

However, an official from the National Tax Service explained to the outlet that “since real estate seizures are conducted on a parcel or unit basis, the entire property is seized even if the outstanding tax amount is significantly lower than the official assessed value.”

Aside from the seized property, Kim also reportedly owns another apartment in Cheongdam, Gangnam, Seoul.

According to the report, a real estate seizure over unpaid national taxes takes effect once the seizure registration is completed and remains in force until the outstanding amount is fully settled. If the taxes remain unpaid, the property may eventually be put up for public auction. The seizure may be lifted once the delinquent taxpayer pays the full amount owed.