The arrest warrant for HYBE Chairman Bang Si Hyuk has been rejected.
Bang is accused of misleading early investors in 2019 by claiming there were no plans for a stock market debut, which allegedly pressured them to sell their shares to a private equity fund linked to him. The company, which manages the global K-pop sensation BTS, proceeded with its public listing shortly thereafter.
The Seoul Southern District Prosecutors’ Office returned the warrant application to the police on April 24th, 2026, after determining that investigators had not yet established sufficient legal grounds to justify his detention. Prosecutors have requested a more thorough investigation into the necessity of an arrest at this stage of the case.
Police investigators believe Bang pocketed roughly 260 billion won ($175 million) through an undisclosed agreement with the private equity fund. Under the Capital Markets Act, fraudulent financial transactions involving profits of over 5 billion won can carry a maximum sentence of life imprisonment.
Bang’s legal team continues to deny the allegations, maintaining that the chairman has cooperated fully with the ongoing probe.
>> Police Request Arrest Warrant for HYBE Chairman Bang Si Hyuk
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