YG Entertainment Founder Yang Hyun Suk To Spend 3 Years In Jail
In a significant legal battle, Yang Hyun Suk, the founder and representative producer of YG Entertainment, finds himself at the center of a criminal case. The prosecution has fervently sought a three-year imprisonment term for Yang Hyun Suk, accusing him of involvement in a case related to threats of retaliation. The appeal trial for this high-profile case unfolded in Seoul High Court, presided over by Criminal Division 6-3, marking the fifth trial session for both Yang Hyun Suk and former YG manager, Mr. Kim. They were indicted for violating the Act on the Aggravated Punishment of Specific Crimes.
In delivering their final opinion, the prosecution asserted that Yang Hyun Suk had actively intervened in the case of iKON B.I.’s drug crime informant, effectively neutralizing the report. Beyond the initial cover-up, the prosecution argued that B.I’s popularity and profits had substantially increased, with a significant portion of his wealth allegedly benefiting Yang Hyun Suk. The prosecution expressed concern that the initial acquittal could set a dangerous precedent for avoiding fair investigations. They firmly attributed Yang Hyun Suk’s ability to manipulate the reporting statement to an abuse of power due to his social status.
The defense for Yang Hyun Suk consistently refuted claims that their client had threatened the public informant, Han Seo Hee, to stall the investigation regarding iKON’s member B.I’s alleged drug purchase and use. In the initial trial, despite prosecution arguments that Yang had made threatening remarks towards Han Seo Hee, the court acquitted the former CEO. The court’s ruling rested on the premise that for threats or coercion to be punishable, the victim’s freedom of opinion must be suppressed through fear incited by the defendant’s actions. The court deemed there was insufficient evidence to prove that Yang Hyun Suk had indeed caused fear in the victim.
The prosecution appealed the verdict, contending that the trial court had misjudged the facts and misinterpreted the law. They maintained their argument during the appeal trial, asserting that Yang Hyun Suk had met with the victim at YG’s office building and manipulated her through his words and actions, with assistance from an agency official. The prosecution further claimed that Yang had attempted to cover up B.I’s alleged crimes, intensifying their demand for a three-year prison sentence for Yang Hyun Suk and two years for his former manager, Mr. Kim.
In response, the defense vehemently refused to agree to these accusations. They insisted that there were no requests for making false claims nor any resorting to force. The defense also raised skepticism about the credibility of Han Seo Hee’s testimonies, citing inconsistencies in her statements. Furthermore, they pointed out that Han Seo Hee had promised to submit a recorded file but had not yet done so.
Amidst the legal battle, Han Seo Hee, the central figure in the case, offered an emotional confession during the fourth trial. She expressed her hope that the defendant, Yang Hyun Suk, wouldn’t face punishment. Instead, she claimed that all she wanted from him was a sincere apology, adding a poignant dimension to the courtroom drama.
As this high-stakes legal battle unfolds, it continues to draw widespread attention and raises important questions about the intersection of power, influence, and justice in the entertainment industry.
