▲ 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)

SEOUL, Aug. 20 (Yonhap) -- A Seoul court on Thursday sentenced a Chinese national to 20 years in prison for leading a hacking scheme targeting K-pop group BTS' member Jungkook and South Korean business executives.

The Seoul Central District Court handed down the sentence to the Chinese national, surnamed Chun, on charges of fraud and violating the information network act, in connection with the theft of more than 38 billion won (US$27.2 million) from the victims.

"(Chun) targeted wealthy individuals and stole their assets," the court said. "The victims lost their assets despite bearing no fault, unlike in voice phishing scams."

The court added that Chun has not shown genuine remorse for his wrongdoing.

Chun was charged with collecting personal information as part of a criminal ring operating overseas, including in Thailand, from August 2023 to January 2025, activating mobile phones in the victims' names and transferring assets from their accounts.

The investigation showed the targets included Jungkook and a business tycoon of a major conglomerate.

Sources, however, said the hacking group attempted to steal 8.4 billion won worth of Jungkook's shares in HYBE, the parent company of his agency, BigHit Music, but the agency took immediate action to prevent losses.

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