Yang Hyunsuk Receives Suspended Sentence for Coercion in B.I. Drug Case
Yang Hyunsuk, executive producer and former head of YG Entertainment, has received a final suspended sentence for attempting to silence a whistleblower in connection with rapper B.I’s drug investigation.
On July 18, the Supreme Court of Korea upheld the appeals court’s ruling, sentencing Yang Hyunsuk to six months in prison with one year of probation for violating the Act on the Aggravated Punishment of Specific Crimes, specifically for coercing a witness.
In a statement released through YG Entertainment, Yang commented, “While I’m disappointed with the Supreme Court’s decision, I humbly accept the ruling.” He added, “Although I was originally indicted for retaliatory threats and found not guilty in both the first and second trials, the prosecution later revised the charges to include the lesser-known offense of coercing a meeting. After five years and eight months of legal proceedings, the case has finally concluded.”
Yang continued, “I will now return to my duties with a greater sense of responsibility and care.”
The case stemmed from an incident in August 2016 when former trainee Han Seo-hee testified that B.I had attempted to purchase drugs. Yang was later accused of pressuring Han to retract her statement.
While Yang admitted to meeting with Han, he denied making any threats. The initial trial court ruled in his favor, citing a lack of evidence. However, the appellate court introduced the charge of coercion as an alternative indictment and found him guilty, concluding that Yang had abused his social influence during the encounter.
As a result, the appeals court overturned the previous acquittal and sentenced him to six months in prison with one year of probation — a decision now finalized by the Supreme Court.
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Source Korean article – https://m.entertain.naver.com/now/article/468/0001162878
