[COVER STORY] Bang Si-hyuk case reaches prosecutors. What's next for HYBE chairman?
The police file on HYBE Chairman Bang Si-hyuk arrived at the Seoul Southern District Prosecutors' Office last week with a precise number attached: 263.1 billion won ($190 million) in what investigators called improper gains. The question that will decide Bang's fate is one that police and prosecutors have spent almost two years failing to settle between themselves: what crime, if any, the conduct…
![[COVER STORY] Bang Si-hyuk case reaches prosecutors. What's next for HYBE chairman?](/img/6096139)
Last week, the police file against HYBE Chairman Bang Si-hyuk arrived at the Seoul Southern District Prosecutors Office, accompanied by a specific figure: 263.1 billion won ($190 million) in improper gains. The critical question that will determine Bang's future is one that police and prosecutors have yet to resolve after nearly two years of investigation: what crime, if any, does the alleged conduct constitute.
On Thursday, the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency's financial crime investigation unit forwarded Bang and four others to prosecutors without detention, suspecting them of fraudulent unfair trading under the Capital Markets Act. This marks the conclusion of a 21-month investigation.
Prosecutors will now assess the gathered evidence before deciding whether to indict, order further investigation, or dismiss the financial crime charge, with all three options remaining plausible. Lawyers handling similar cases indicate that multiple outcomes are possible. According to police, the alleged wrongdoing took place in 2019 when, while Big Hit Entertainment, then known as the company, was in the preliminary listing process, Bang and others allegedly informed existing shareholders.
Written by urgent.news from The Korea Times's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
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