'BI Investigation Suppression' Yang Hyun-suk, 6 Months in Prison, 1 Year Probation Confirmed
- Input
- 2025-07-18 11:34:21
- Updated
- 2025-07-18 11:34:21
Accused of threatening informant to suppress drug investigation
Prosecution adds 'Coercion to Interview' in appeal... Overturns first trial acquittal
Prosecution adds 'Coercion to Interview' in appeal... Overturns first trial acquittal
[Financial News] Yang Hyun-suk, the general producer of YG Entertainment, has been confirmed guilty for threatening an informant to suppress the drug investigation of affiliated singer BI (Kim Han-bin).
The Supreme Court's Division 1 (Presiding Judge Ma Yong-ju) confirmed the original sentence of 6 months in prison with 1 year probation for Yang, who was indicted for violating the Act on the Aggravated Punishment of Specific Crimes (retaliatory threats, etc.).
Yang was brought to trial for allegedly coaxing and threatening public interest informant Han Seo-hee to suppress the investigation related to BI's alleged purchase and inhalation of drugs.
Han had reversed her testimony about BI's drug use after initially testifying during a police investigation for her own drug use in 2016. However, in June 2019, she reported to the Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission that she had changed her testimony due to external pressure from YG.
The first trial acquitted Yang, stating, "It is difficult to recognize that Han was frightened to the extent of impairing her freedom of decision-making."
After the acquittal on the charge of retaliatory threats under the Special Act, the prosecution added the charge of coercion to interview as an alternative indictment in the second trial.
The second trial, like the first, found Yang not guilty of retaliatory threats but recognized the coercion to interview charge, sentencing him to 6 months in prison with 1 year probation.
The second trial court stated, "It is difficult to recognize it as a legitimate reason that he called a much younger and lower-status victim to an undisclosed office at night," and "The alternative indictment is judged guilty."
The court added, "Yang's statement that Han's words were lies and that she was causing unnecessary trouble could have been perceived as significant psychological pressure or intimidation to the victim," and "Even if he did not use social status or power, the situation constitutes an exercise of force."
Yang appealed, but the Supreme Court dismissed the appeal, finding no error in the original judgment.
jisseo@fnnews.com Minji Seo, Reporter