The billionaire founder of South Korean technology giant Kakao, Kim Beom-Su, was arrested on Tuesday on allegations of stock manipulation related to the company’s investment in one of the country’s largest K-pop agencies.
A high-profile bidding war broke out over the agency, SM Entertainment, early last year.
Prosecutors allege, Kakao manipulated SM Entertainment’s stock price to hinder Hybe, the company behind BTS, from acquiring the agency, whose roster of artists includes Girls’ Generation.
Last year, prosecutors indicted Kakao’s chief investment officer and the company itself on stock manipulation charges.
The Seoul Southern District Court confirmed that Mr. Kim had been arrested on Tuesday morning.
Persons:
Kim Beom, Kakao, Mr, Kim
Organizations:
SM Entertainment, Prosecutors, Seoul Southern, Court
Locations:
Korean, Hybe, Seoul