In a landmark decision, the Supreme Court has upheld the conviction of Yang Hyun-suk, the influential executive producer of YG Entertainment, sentencing him to a six-month prison term, suspended for one year, for his role in attempting to cover up a drug case involving former iKON member B.I.
The court found Yang guilty of coercing Han Seo-hee, a former K-pop trainee, in August 2016. Yang pressured Han to retract her statement implicating B.I in drug-related activities.
Han, who was under investigation for drug use at the time, had initially named B.I as being involved in illicit activities. Although she later recanted, Han came forward in 2019, reporting to the Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission that she had been pressured by Yang to withdraw her original statement.
The case took a complex legal journey before reaching its conclusion. Initially, a district court acquitted Yang, citing insufficient evidence of direct threats. However, prosecutors successfully appealed, introducing a new charge of coercing Han into a meeting – a legal provision that applies when someone exerts pressure on crime victims, their associates, or potential complainants.
While the appeals court maintained Yang’s acquittal on the threat charges, it found him guilty of coercing a meeting. The court stated that Yang “exercised unjust influence over the victim without rightful cause,” highlighting the power imbalance in the K-pop industry.
Following the Supreme Court’s decision, Yang released a statement expressing his regret but acceptance of the ruling. “Though I regret the Supreme Court’s decision, I humbly accept it,” Yang said, adding, “I will devote myself more responsibly and carefully to my work going forward.”
The drug scandal, which came to light in 2019, led to B.I’s departure from iKON. During subsequent police investigations, B.I admitted to smoking marijuana and purchasing LSD. In September 2021, he received a three-year prison sentence, suspended for four years. Despite the controversy, B.I has since relaunched his career as a solo artist.
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