Seoul Prosecutors Reject Arrest Warrant for HYBE Chairman Bang Si-hyuk — Cite Insufficient Evidence

On April 24, 2026, the Seoul Southern District Prosecutors' Office rejected the arrest warrant filed by the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency against HYBE Chairman Bang Si-hyuk, citing 'insufficient evidence to justify the necessity of detention.' The rejection comes three days after police announced the warrant request on April 21, alleging Bang defrauded early HYBE investors under the Capital Markets Act by concealing IPO plans while encouraging them to sell shares at undervalue in 2019 — allegedly netting approximately 260 billion won (~$175 million) in illicit gains. Bang has been banned from international travel since August 2025; separately, the U.S. Embassy requested a travel exemption to permit his attendance at BTS's world tour. Bang denies all wrongdoing. The warrant rejection was simultaneously confirmed by Korea Herald, UPI, Seoul Economic Daily, and Korea Times. HYBE issued no immediate comment. The development provides temporary legal breathing room for Bang as BTS opens the North American leg of the ARIRANG World Tour in Tampa the following day.