South Korean Prosecutors Reject Arrest Warrant for Hybe Chairman Bang Si-Hyuk Amid Investor Fraud Investigation

Apr 24, 2026, 15:20

Introduction

Prosecutors in South Korea have declined a police request to issue an arrest warrant for Bang Si-Hyuk, the chairman and founder of Hybe, the entertainment company behind the K-pop group BTS. The decision was based on a determination that the evidence presented did not sufficiently justify his detention. Bang is under investigation for alleged investor fraud related to the company’s initial public offering.

Main Body

The investigation centers on allegations that in 2019, Bang misled investors by indicating that Hybe had no immediate plans to go public, thereby inducing them to sell their shares to a private equity fund. Shortly thereafter, the company proceeded with an IPO. Police suspect a side deal in which the fund paid Bang approximately 200 billion won (about £100 million) and promised him 30% of post-IPO stock sale profits. Bang has denied any wrongdoing, and Hybe officials have stated that the IPO was conducted in accordance with legal and regulatory requirements. The Seoul Southern District Prosecutors’ Office returned the arrest warrant request to the police on Friday, stating that at the current stage there was insufficient evidence to establish the necessity of detention. The prosecution instructed investigators to strengthen their case through a supplementary investigation. Police have indicated they will review whether to reapply for the warrant after completing further inquiries, with decisions to be made in accordance with due process. Bang’s legal team has criticized the police’s attempt to seek his arrest, noting that he has been fully cooperating with the investigation for several months. Bang has been prohibited from leaving South Korea since August, a measure that has restricted his activities. The US Embassy in Seoul recently sent a letter to the police requesting that Bang be permitted to travel to the United States to participate in BTS’s world tour, which includes upcoming concerts in Tampa, Florida, following a series of performances in Seoul, Goyang, and Tokyo. The case has drawn attention to Hybe’s public relations environment, particularly as BTS resumes global touring after a nearly four-year hiatus during which its members completed mandatory military service. The Capital Markets Act under which Bang is being investigated prohibits fraudulent or deceptive practices in connection with financial investment products; violations involving profits exceeding 5 billion won carry penalties of life imprisonment or a minimum of five years in prison.

Conclusion

The investigation into Bang Si-Hyuk remains ongoing, with police directed to conduct additional inquiries before any further action on an arrest warrant. Bang continues to deny the allegations and remains subject to a travel ban, while BTS proceeds with its international tour schedule.

Vocabulary Learning

fraudulent (adj.)

involving deceit or trickery, especially in order to gain money or advantage illegally欺詐的；騙人的

Example:The Capital Markets Act under which Bang is being investigated prohibits fraudulent or deceptive practices in connection with financial investment products.

hiatus (n.)

a pause or gap in a sequence, series, or process間斷；停頓

Example:The case has drawn attention to Hybe’s public relations environment, particularly as BTS resumes global touring after a nearly four-year hiatus during which its members completed mandatory military service.

inducing (v.)

to persuade or influence someone to do something, often in a subtle or indirect way誘使；引導

Example:The investigation centers on allegations that in 2019, Bang misled investors by indicating that Hybe had no immediate plans to go public, thereby inducing them to sell their shares to a private equity fund.

insufficient (adj.)

not enough; inadequate for a purpose不足的；不充分的

Example:The decision was based on a determination that the evidence presented did not sufficiently justify his detention, as there was insufficient evidence to establish the necessity of detention.

supplementary (adj.)

additional; serving to complete or enhance something補充的；附加的

Example:The prosecution instructed investigators to strengthen their case through a supplementary investigation.

Sentence Learning

Complex Subordination with Participial Phrase: The sentence features a noun clause ('that...') as the object of 'allegations', followed by a participial phrase ('thereby inducing...') that expresses the result of the action. This structure adds layers of causality and conciseness.複雜從屬結構附分詞短語：句子包含一個名詞從句（「that...」）作為「allegations」的賓語，隨後是一個分詞短語（「thereby inducing...」）表示動作的結果。這種結構增加了因果層次和簡潔性。

Police suspect a side deal in which the fund paid Bang approximately 200 billion won (about £100 million) and promised him 30% of post-IPO stock sale profits.

Relative Clause: The relative clause 'in which...' modifies 'side deal', providing essential details about the alleged arrangement. The clause contains coordinated verbs ('paid' and 'promised'), demonstrating parallel structure.關係從句：關係從句「in which...」修飾「side deal」，提供有關涉嫌安排的關鍵細節。該從句包含並列動詞（「paid」和「promised」），體現了平行結構。

The Seoul Southern District Prosecutors’ Office returned the arrest warrant request to the police on Friday, stating that at the current stage there was insufficient evidence to establish the necessity of detention.

Present Participle Phrase: The present participle phrase 'stating that...' functions as an adverbial of attendant circumstance, explaining the rationale behind the action. It contains a subordinate clause ('that...') with a formal nominalization ('necessity of detention').現在分詞短語：現在分詞短語「stating that...」用作伴隨情況狀語，解釋行動背後的理由。它包含一個從句（「that...」），其中帶有正式的名詞化結構（「necessity of detention」）。

The US Embassy in Seoul recently sent a letter to the police requesting that Bang be permitted to travel to the United States to participate in BTS’s world tour, which includes upcoming concerts in Tampa, Florida, following a series of performances in Seoul, Goyang, and Tokyo.

Subjunctive Mood: The verb 'requesting' triggers the mandative subjunctive in the that-clause ('Bang be permitted'), using the base form 'be' instead of 'is'. This is a hallmark of formal, persuasive language. Additionally, the sentence contains a non-restrictive relative clause ('which includes...') and a participial phrase ('following...').虛擬語氣：動詞「requesting」觸發了that從句中的命令式虛擬語氣（「Bang be permitted」），使用原形「be」而非「is」。這是正式、說服性語言的標誌。此外，句子包含一個非限制性關係從句（「which includes...」）和一個分詞短語（「following...」）。

The Capital Markets Act under which Bang is being investigated prohibits fraudulent or deceptive practices in connection with financial investment products; violations involving profits exceeding 5 billion won carry penalties of life imprisonment or a minimum of five years in prison.

Relative Clause and Semicolonic Coordination: The relative clause 'under which' modifies 'The Capital Markets Act'. A semicolon joins two independent clauses, the second of which contains a participial phrase ('involving profits exceeding...') that specifies the condition for severe penalties. This structure conveys complex legal information efficiently.關係從句與分號並列：關係從句「under which」修飾「The Capital Markets Act」。分號連接兩個獨立子句，第二個子句包含一個分詞短語（「involving profits exceeding...」），具體說明嚴重處罰的條件。這種結構高效地傳達了複雜的法律信息。