Police seek arrest of HYBE chairman

South Korean police on Tuesday requested an arrest warrant for Bang Si-hyuk, the founder and chairman of HYBE, the company associated with K-pop group BTS. Officials said the move follows allegations tied to stock manipulation connected to a 2021 merger involving BELIFT LAB, a HYBE subsidiary, and CJ ENM.

The Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency’s financial crimes unit submitted the warrant request after conducting an investigation into how the merger process unfolded. Authorities said they are reviewing whether Bang Si-hyuk used unlawful methods that could have pushed stock values higher during the transaction. The allegations are framed as potential violations of capital markets law, according to officials.

If the Seoul Central District Court approves the request, Bang Si-hyuk could be detained and face additional legal procedures. Officials did not provide further details in the material provided about the evidence being assessed or the timeline for a court decision. The case remains at the stage of a warrant request, and the court’s decision is not yet known.

HYBE is described as a major participant in the global entertainment industry, with operations that extend beyond South Korea through its music business and artist roster. The company is widely linked to BTS, and the source material notes that the legal development could affect HYBE’s corporate stability and its global music activities. The situation also has potential relevance for HYBE’s various artists, including BTS, given the company’s central role in management and production.

Beyond the immediate legal process, the warrant request places attention on governance and compliance issues that can influence large entertainment firms operating across multiple markets. The allegations focus on conduct during a corporate transaction, and officials said their review centers on whether stock values were improperly influenced in connection with the 2021 merger involving BELIFT LAB and CJ ENM.

Key uncertainties remain, including whether the court will grant the warrant and what further steps investigators may take. The source material does not specify any response from Bang Si-hyuk, HYBE, BELIFT LAB, or CJ ENM, and it does not describe any final findings. For now, the next formal milestone is the Seoul Central District Court’s decision on the arrest warrant request.