Seoul Prosecutors Reject Bang Si-hyuk Arrest Warrant — HYBE Chairman Cleared of Detention Risk

The Seoul Southern District Prosecutors' Office rejected the arrest warrant for HYBE Chairman Bang Si-hyuk on April 24, 2026, citing 'insufficient evidence to justify the necessity of detention.' The Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency had applied for the warrant three days earlier (April 21), alleging Bang defrauded early investors by concealing HYBE's IPO plans in 2019 and enabling a private equity fund linked to Bang to acquire shares at undervalue — allegedly yielding ~260 billion won (~$175M) in illicit gains. Bang has been under a travel ban since August 2025. The rejection provides temporary legal relief the day before BTS opens the North American leg of the ARIRANG World Tour in Tampa, Florida.