Infamous HYBE Raids Deemed “Aggressive” And Far From Normal, New Details Exposed
New information and details that have surfaced about the recent police raids on HYBE headquarters in Seoul have painted a clear picture of just how aggressive and unusual the operation really was.
According to a new report from JTBC, authorities were granted a warrant that allowed them to search the company for nearly a month, far longer than what’s usually permitted. The first raid took place on July 24, but the warrant remains valid until August 16.
The warrant also included an “exceptional clause” that allowed the search to occur outside of regular hours, including before sunrise and after sunset. While most search operations face strict time limits in South Korea, this one didn’t.
The scope was broad, too. Instead of limiting the search to specific offices, police were allowed access to any department holding relevant materials. That covered everything from the chairman’s office to legal, accounting, finance, and any other team, regardless of its name or function.
It appears the investigation into Chairman Bang is progressing quickly in line with the new administration’s policy of strict punishment for acts that disrupt the capital market.
— Police Official
The wording and structure of the warrant suggest that investigators were given unique authority. According to some officials, this aggressive approach aligns with the current administration’s efforts to take a hard stance against financial crime in the stock market.
It is believed that the police carried out such an aggressive search operation in part to secure control over the investigation.
— JTBC reporter
Even so, officials have confirmed that the raid itself has already ended, despite the warrant still being valid until later this month. You can learn more about the raids and what accusations HYBE chairman Bang Si Hyuk is facing below.
