Why did the Seoul Central District Court give Chun a 20-year sentence in the Jung Kook hacking case?

The court said Chun led a scheme that targeted wealthy individuals and stole their assets. It cited fraud and information network act violations tied to losses of more than 38 billion won, and said Chun had shown no genuine remorse.

Who were the targets in the hacking ring case involving BTS member Jung Kook?

The investigation found that the targets included Jung Kook and a business tycoon of a major conglomerate. The court said the scheme focused on wealthy individuals and involved activating mobile phones in the victims’ names before transferring assets from their accounts.

What was the hacking group accused of doing between August 2023 and January 2025?

Chun was charged with collecting personal information as part of an overseas criminal ring operating from August 2023 to January 2025. The group used that information to activate mobile phones in victims’ names and move money and assets from their accounts.

Chinese national gets 20 years for hacking accounts of BTS' Jung Kook, others

Listen

Summary

A Seoul court on Thursday sentenced a Chinese national to 20 years in prison for leading a hacking scheme targeting BTS member Jung Kook and Korean business executives. The Seoul Central District Court convicted Chun of fraud and violating the information network act in connection with theft of more than 38 billion won. The court said Chun targeted wealthy individuals, and that the victims lost assets despite bearing no fault. Investigators said the hacking ring operated overseas from August 2023 to January 2025.

Key Facts

The Seoul Central District Court sentenced Chun to 20 years in prison on Thursday.
Chun was convicted of fraud and violating the information network act.
The case involved theft of more than 38 billion won, or 27.2 million dollars, from victims.
The hacking ring operated overseas, including in Thailand, from August 2023 to January 2025.
Sources said the group attempted to steal 8.4 billion won worth of Jung Kook’s shares in HYBE, but BigHit Music took immediate action to prevent losses.

By Yonhap

Published Aug 20, 2026 8:33 pm KST
Updated Aug 20, 2026 10:28 pm KST

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.

Explore More