Seoul police have requested an arrest warrant for HYBE Chairman Bang Si-hyuk on suspicions of unfair stock trading under the Capital Markets Act. The allegations stem from 2019, when he reportedly misled investors about the company's IPO delay, acquiring shares cheaply for nearly 200 billion won ($135.9 million) in profits. Bang denies the claims and expressed regret over the warrant request despite his cooperation.
The Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency filed an arrest warrant request for Bang Si-hyuk, chairman of K-pop giant HYBE, with the Seoul Southern District Prosecutors' Office on April 21. Police suspect him of deceiving investors and venture capital firms in 2019 by claiming HYBE's initial public offering would be delayed, leading them to sell shares to HYBE-related companies and enabling Bang to gain nearly 200 billion won ($135.9 million) in profits.
Under the Capital Markets Act, those gaining 5 billion won or more through fabrications face at least five years in prison up to life imprisonment. The investigation began with a tip-off in late 2024, followed by raids on the Korea Exchange and HYBE headquarters in 2025. Police have questioned Bang five times, and he has been under a travel ban since last August.
Bang called the warrant request "regrettable" despite his "faithful cooperation," stating through his lawyer, "I will continue to explain myself to the best of my ability by faithfully engaging in future legal proceedings." HYBE maintains the IPO followed all rules and will cooperate further.
The U.S. Embassy in Seoul recently asked police to lift the ban so Bang could join BTS's world tour, starting its U.S. leg in Tampa, Florida, on April 25, and attend Fourth of July events marking America's 250th independence anniversary. The request bypassed formal channels via the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, drawing criticism. BTS released its fifth studio album "ARIRANG" on March 21 after a four-year hiatus.
