Police Seek Arrest Warrant for Hybe Chairman Bang Si-hyuk Over Alleged 200 Billion Won Illegal Profits
Seoul Metropolitan Police file warrant on suspicions of fraudulent trading ahead of 2019 IPO; U.S. Embassy requests travel permission for BTS-related travel
Quick Look
- Police have filed for an arrest warrant for Bang Si-hyuk, founder and chairman of K-pop powerhouse Hybe, on suspicions of unfair stock trading.
- Bang allegedly deceived investors in 2019 into selling their shares before the company's IPO, pocketing nearly 200 billion won (US$135.9 million) in illegal profits.
- Under South Korea's Capital Market Act, making 5 billion won or more through investment fraud can result in life imprisonment.
AI-generated summary
Why It Matters
Bang Si-hyuk is the founder and chairman of Hybe, formerly known as Big Hit Entertainment, which manages global K-pop sensation BTS. The company went public in 2020 in one of South Korea's largest IPOs. This investigation centers on alleged actions taken in 2019, before the IPO, when Bang allegedly deceived early investors into selling their shares.
Police said Tuesday they have filed for an arrest warrant for Bang Si-hyuk, the chairman and founder of K-pop powerhouse Hybe, on suspicions of unfair stock trading. Bang has been under investigation over allegations that he deceived investors in 2019 into selling their shares in Hybe before the company held an initial public offering, through which he pocketed nearly 200 billion won (US$135.9 million) in illegal profits. The Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency said its request for a warrant is based on suspicions of fraudulent trading. Under the Capital Market Act, a person found guilty of making 5 billion won or more in profits by lying about financial investment products is punishable by life imprisonment or a prison term of at least five years. Bang's side has denied the allegation, saying the IPO had followed the law and regulations. Police first received a tip-off on the allegations in late 2024 and proceeded to raid the Korea Exchange and Hybe's headquarters the following year. Bang was also banned from leaving the country earlier, leading to various restrictions in his activities. The U.S. Embassy in Seoul recently sent a letter to the police agency asking that it allow him to travel to the U.S. to take part in K-pop supergroup BTS' world tour.
What to Watch
AI outlook — possibilities, not facts
Police will continue investigation and may expand to include other potential defendants
Very likely · Within weeks
Hybe will issue official statements defending the company and its chairman
Very likely · Within days
U.S. Embassy request for travel permission will likely be denied or delayed
Likely · Within weeks
Open Questions
- What specific misrepresentations were made to investors?
- Were there other executives involved in the alleged scheme?
- Will the U.S. Embassy request be granted?
- How will this affect Hybe's operations and BTS activities?
