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| yna@yna.co.kr 2025-03-04 10:43:31
SEOUL, March 4 (Yonhap) -- Last month, South Korean police booked the employee of a foreign airline, identified as A, who illegally obtained and sold flight information of BTS and other celebrities to fans for profit.
A was charged for violating the Information and Communications Network Act.
Although a social media account operator who illegally traded celebrity flight information was apprehended and sent to the Seoul Central District Prosecutors’ Office in June last year, this marks the first time that the initial supplier of such leaked information has been caught.
This case is significant not only for the arrest of the information supplier but also for setting a precedent in cutting off the illegal distribution of flight information through prolonged police investigation and close cooperation with entertainment agencies.
According to the music industry on Tuesday, HYBE, the agency representing BTS, formed a task force (TF) in 2023 to address this issue. Over two years, they persistently tracked flight information leaks and worked closely with the police, ultimately leading to the identification of A as a suspect.
For years, the entertainment industry has struggled with frequent leaks of flight information belonging to famous idol groups, which is considered highly sensitive personal data. A's leaked flight details were sold in different formats depending on the price. Cheaper transactions provided only flight numbers and departure times, while more detailed and sensitive information could be obtained for an additional fee.
Obsessive "sasaeng" fans who purchased such information would board the same flights as celebrities to get close to them or even alter in-flight meal orders, engaging in behavior bordering on stalking. Some sasaeng fans reportedly went further by canceling flight reservations or changing seat assignments, disrupting the artists' schedules.
Entertainment agencies have repeatedly requested investigations into social media accounts selling flight details, but identifying the perpetrators proved difficult. The transactions occurred discreetly through KakaoTalk open chat rooms or direct messages on social media, making it challenging to trace the sellers. Additionally, initial suppliers of leaked information often resided overseas or were difficult to locate.
Tracking the leak sources was further complicated by the vast network of sasaeng fans who shared flight details and the numerous personnel involved in the process, from travel agencies to airline staff and airport counter employees.
Two years ago, HYBE formed its task force and identified multiple social media accounts engaged in the sale of artists' flight information. The agency secured evidence to pinpoint the identities of the sellers and submitted it to the police, filing official complaints that initiated the investigation. HYBE also conducted constant monitoring of social media sellers.
Over the past two years, HYBE reportedly provided relevant information to the police whenever suspected stalking cases were identified, aiding in narrowing down the investigation.
Following the arrest of A, who was revealed to be an employee of a foreign airline, industry insiders have stressed the urgent need for airlines to implement preventive measures and cooperate more actively. Agencies have expressed frustration over the lack of support from airlines, despite unauthorized check-ins of celebrity seats and hundreds of seat inquiries or modifications being attempted without proper scrutiny.
HYBE stated, "Selling or purchasing illegally obtained flight information is a clear violation of the law that threatens artists' safety, creates anxiety, and poses a serious risk to airport and in-flight security. We will uphold a zero-tolerance policy toward the commodification and trade of artists' personal information, pursuing legal action to the fullest extent without any settlements or leniency."
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