▲ This file photo, provided by the justice ministry on Aug. 22, 2025, shows a Chinese national accused of stealing personal information of South Korean victims and withdrawing cash from their accounts being extradited to South Korea at Incheon International Airport, just west of Seoul. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)

hacking ring-extradition

Chinese national extradited to S. Korea over hacking heist targeting BTS' Jungkook, others

SEOUL, May 13 (Yonhap) -- A Chinese national, who led a hacking scheme that targeted K-pop group BTS member Jungkook and South Korean business executives, has been extradited to South Korea from Thailand, the justice ministry said Wednesday.

The 40-year-old arrived at Incheon International Airport on Tuesday from Bangkok to be handed over to police for investigation over allegations of stealing over 38 billion won (US$25.4 million) from the victims, according to the ministry.

The police said they plan to seek a warrant for his formal arrest after questioning him and analyzing evidence.

The suspect is said to be part of a criminal ring accused of illegally collecting personal information of the victims from August 2023 to April 2025 by hacking into government and public agency websites, and using the data to withdraw cash from their accounts.

While Jungkook was targeted in the scheme, his agency, BigHit Music, took immediate action to prevent losses.

The criminal ring allegedly opened unauthorized brokerage accounts in Jungkook's name in January 2024 in an attempt to steal 8.4 billion won worth of his shares in Hybe, the company behind BTS, at the time.

The latest move comes after another leader of the criminal ring, a 36-year-old Chinese national, was extradited to South Korea from Thailand in August. The 36-year-old is currently standing trial in the country under detention.

The justice ministry had requested Thai authorities to keep the two suspects in custody in May last year before formally requesting their extradition in August.

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