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Manila Bulletin devider Entertainment devider Celebrities devider Leader of hacking organization that targeted BTS' Jungkook, others extradited to Korea

Leader of hacking organization that targeted BTS' Jungkook, others extradited to Korea

Published Aug 22, 2025 04:45 pm
BTS' Jungkook (left) and the leader of a hacking organization at Incheon International Airport on Aug. 22 (Weverse, Korea's Ministry of Justice)
BTS' Jungkook (left) and the leader of a hacking organization at Incheon International Airport on Aug. 22 (Weverse, Korea's Ministry of Justice)

A leader of a hacking organization that targeted famous celebrities including BTS’ Jungkook and CEOs in South Korea was extradited from Thailand on Aug. 22. 

Korea’s Ministry of Justice (MOJ) announced on Aug. 22 that the man, 34, a Chinese national, is the leader of a hacking organization that hacked websites and stole over 38 billion won (about $27.3 million) from financial and virtual asset accounts of wealthy individuals and prominent figures. 

The suspect, escorted by the police, arrived at Incheon International Airport on Aug. 22 from Bangkok, Thailand. 

The leader of a hacking organization (center) is escorted by the police as he arrives at Incheon International Airport on Aug. 22 (Korea's Ministry of Justice)
The leader of a hacking organization (center) is escorted by the police as he arrives at Incheon International Airport on Aug. 22 (Korea's Ministry of Justice)
The leader of a hacking organization (center) is escorted by the police as he arrives at Incheon International Airport on Aug. 22 (Korea's Ministry of Justice)
The leader of a hacking organization (center) is escorted by the police as he arrives at Incheon International Airport on Aug. 22 (Korea's Ministry of Justice)
The leader of a hacking organization (center) is escorted by the police as he arrives at Incheon International Airport on Aug. 22 (Korea's Ministry of Justice)
The leader of a hacking organization (center) is escorted by the police as he arrives at Incheon International Airport on Aug. 22 (Korea's Ministry of Justice)

One of the victims included Jungkook, Korean media reported. In January last year, after he enlisted in the military, Jungkook’s securities account was hacked, resulting in the theft of 33,500 shares of HYBE stocks worth 8.4 billion won ($6 million). 

However, as HYBE took measures including suspending payments immediately after becoming aware of the incident, no actual damage occurred.

According to the MOJ, from around August 2023 to January 2024, the hacking organization infiltrated mobile carrier websites and other sites. 

Using the illegally collected personal information, they opened mobile phone accounts in the victims' names and transferred funds, including deposits, from the victims' financial and virtual asset accounts without authorization.

The MOJ, in cooperation with the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency and Interpol, tracked the criminal's whereabouts. 

In April 2025, the ministry received intelligence that the suspect had entered Thailand. They immediately filed an emergency extradition request for the criminal's arrest with the Thai authorities. 

Through close communication with Thai authorities through different organizations, the suspect was apprehended within two weeks.

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