US Embassy Letter Reportedly Seeks US Travel for Hybe Chairman Bang Si-hyuk & Executives; Company Denies Involvement
Global entertainment company Hybe on Monday denied involvement in a rare US Embassy letter reportedly sent to Korean police, seeking to lift a travel ban on its Chairman, Bang Si-hyuk.
The travel ban on Chairman Bang Si-hyuk has been in place since August amid an ongoing Capital Markets Act probe.
Hybe’s denial followed recent reports by local Korean media indicating the US Embassy had sent a letter to the National Korean Police Agency earlier this month. The letter reportedly requested the law enforcement agency to allow Chairman Bang Si-hyuk and other Hybe executives to travel to the United States.
The US Embassy reportedly cited the upcoming July 4 celebrations, marking the 250th anniversary of US independence, and support for BTS’ anticipated world tour “Arirang,” set to kick off in the US later this month. This unusual request has drawn significant scrutiny, as foreign embassies rarely intervene directly in domestic legal proceedings, especially on behalf of non-citizens.
“We have not requested the US Embassy to seek the lifting of Chairman Bang’s travel ban,” a Hybe official told The Korea Herald, Monday. The company added that no decision has been made on whether Bang will attend the Independence Day event, admitting that he received an invitation.
The US Embassy declined to comment further, stating, “We do not have anything to add on that matter,” in response to an inquiry on Monday.
Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump had announced in July 2025 that a large Independence Day event, featuring an Ultimate Fighting Championship match, would be hosted in Washington, D.C. It remains unclear whether other Hybe artists, beyond Chairman Bang Si-hyuk, have received invitations to this event or to join the BTS tour activities.
The head of the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency said at an earlier press briefing that the investigation into Bang Si-hyuk is essentially complete, with an announcement expected soon.
Commissioner Park Jung-bo told reporters that Seoul police had not received any such request from the US Embassy. He added that the letter may have been sent to the Korean National Police Agency, the agency’s parent body, and would be reviewed in accordance with the law and established principles if received. He noted that Seoul police had not been informed whether the KNPA had received such a letter.
Chairman Bang Si-hyuk faces accusations of providing false information to investors prior to Hybe’s 2019 initial public offering. He is also implicated in securing approximately 190 billion won ($129 million) in illicit gains through a private equity fund linked to former executives. The Seoul police have questioned him five times as part of their ongoing probe.
The process for lifting a travel ban typically requires a thorough review by the Ministry of Justice, initiated by a request from investigative authorities. Police are now expected to make a swift decision on whether to seek an arrest warrant for Chairman Bang Si-hyuk or refer his case to prosecutors without detention.
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