South Korean police have applied for an arrest warrant for Bang Si-hyuk, founder and chairman of Hybe (the Seoul-based entertainment company behind K-pop group BTS), on suspicions of fraudulent stock trading. Authorities allege that in 2019 Bang deceived investors into selling their shares in Hybe ahead of the company's initial public offering, netting him nearly 200 billion won (approximately $136 million USD) in illegal profits — an offence that carries a minimum five-year prison sentence or life imprisonment under South Korea's Capital Market Act. Bang's representatives have denied the allegations, while the U.S. Embassy has separately asked police to lift his travel ban so he can accompany BTS on their ongoing world tour.