SEOUL, South Korea: A Chinese national received a 20-year prison sentence on August 20 for leading a hacking scheme that targeted BTS member Jungkook and South Korean business executives.
The Seoul Central District Court convicted the man, identified by his surname Chun, of fraud and violations of South Korea’s information network laws.
According to South Korean media, victims lost more than 38 billion won, or about USD 27.2 million, through the wider scheme.
The court said Chun targeted wealthy individuals and showed no genuine remorse for his actions. Prosecutors said the criminal network operated overseas, including in Thailand, between August 2023 and January 2025.
The group allegedly obtained victims’ personal information and activated mobile phones in their names. It then transferred money and other assets from their accounts.
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Meanwhile, Jungkook was among those targeted. The group allegedly attempted to transfer HYBE shares from his holdings without permission.
BigHit Music, Jungkook’s agency under HYBE, intervened before the attempted transfer caused a financial loss.
