SEOUL — A Chinese national who allegedly led a multi-million dollar hacking ring that targeted a member of the K-pop super group BTS, among others, has been extradited to South Korea. South Korea’s justice ministry had accused the suspect of stealing 38 billion won ($25.4m) from various victims by hacking into the websites of government agencies and public figures. The suspect was arrested in Bangkok in an Interpol-led operation and flown to South Korea’s Incheon airport Wednesday in cooperation with Seoul’s National Police Agency. The 40-year-old is accused of leading a hacking ring based overseas, including in Thailand, that infiltrated websites of budget mobile carriers and other firms between August 2023 and April 2025, according to the ministry’s statement. Using illegally obtained personal data, the group allegedly accessed victims’ financial and cryptocurrency accounts and withdrew large sums without authorisation. Victims reportedly included celebrities, conglomerate chairmen and startup executives, with South Korean reports saying K-pop star Jungkook was among those targeted. The scam ring allegedly got hold of a securities account belonging to BTS vocalist Jungkook’s name and tried to transfer 8.4 billion won worth of shares that Jungkook held of the group’s management company Hybe. The transaction was blocked after the entertainment company froze the account, South Korean media reported. The alleged hacking took place between August 2023 and April 2025, reports say. The chairman of a “major conglomerate” and the boss of a venture company were among the other victims, according to AFP news agency. Police have said they plan to seek a warrant to arrest the suspect after questioning him and analysing evidence. An alleged accomplice, a 36-year-old Chinese national arrested in Thailand in May 2025, was extradited to South Korea last August. He was indicted in September and is now standing trial.
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