Chinese national gets 20 years for hacking accounts of BTS' Jung Kook, others
Justice ministry officials escort a Chinese national, suspected of being the ringleader of a group that stole large sums by impersonating wealthy individuals, through Incheon International Airport, Aug. 22, 2025. Courtesy of Ministry of Justice
A Seoul court on Thursday sentenced a Chinese national to 20 years in prison for leading a hacking scheme targeting K-pop group BTS member Jung Kook and Korean business executives.
The Seoul Central District Court handed down the sentence to the Chinese national, surnamed Chun, on charges of fraud and violating the information network act, in connection with the theft of more than 38 billion won ($27.2 million) from the victims.
"(Chun) targeted wealthy individuals and stole their assets," the court said. "The victims lost their assets despite bearing no fault, unlike in voice phishing scams."
The court added that Chun has not shown genuine remorse for his wrongdoing.
Chun was charged with collecting personal information as part of a criminal ring operating overseas, including in Thailand, from August 2023 to January 2025, activating mobile phones in the victims' names and transferring assets from their accounts.
The investigation showed the targets included Jung Kook and a business tycoon of a major conglomerate.
Sources, however, said the hacking group attempted to steal 8.4 billion won worth of Jung Kook's shares in HYBE, the parent company of his agency, BigHit Music, but the agency took immediate action to prevent losses.