Seoul Metropolitan Police referred Hybe (KRX:352820) Chairman Bang Si-hyuk to prosecutors for non-indictment consideration, concluding investigation into allegations he induced existing shareholders to sell stakes before the company's IPO by misrepresenting stock listing plans. Bang was released without detention pending final prosecutorial decision.
The investigation touched on disclosure obligations and shareholder communication around the August 2023 debut on the Kospi. Prosecutors will decide whether to pursue charges based on securities-law interpretations involving pre-IPO stock sales by founders and early investors.
Hybe's market capitalisation was ₩7.6 trillion at Thursday's close. The label has expanded beyond music into film, livestreaming and artist management, with first-half 2026 operating income of ₩43 billion. The shareholder suit is a separate civil proceeding.
Korean securities enforcement in IPO-period disclosures has historically focused on material omissions rather than prosecuting founder stock sales as misleading, though the distinction remains contentious.
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| Symbol | Last Price |
|---|---|
| 352820HYBE Co., Ltd. | ₩178,500 +1.4% |