Chinese hacker sentenced to 20 years for stealing from South Korean celebrities

A Seoul court on Tuesday sentenced a Chinese national to 20 years in prison for orchestrating a hacking scheme that defrauded wealthy South Koreans of more than 38 billion won, equivalent to approximately US$27.3 million. The defendant led a criminal network that breached financial accounts belonging to high-profile victims across the country.

Among those targeted was Jungkook, a member of the globally renowned K-pop group BTS, highlighting the reach of the operation beyond ordinary citizens to include entertainment industry figures. Investigators determined the hacking ring employed sophisticated techniques to gain unauthorized access to victims' brokerage and investment accounts.

The lengthy sentence reflects the severity of the crimes and the substantial financial losses inflicted on victims. South Korean courts have intensified efforts to combat cybercrime, particularly cases involving organized hacking operations that target multiple victims simultaneously.

The case underscores growing concerns about digital security vulnerabilities among high-net-worth individuals in South Korea and the increasingly transnational nature of cybercrime. Authorities have indicated they will continue pursuing other members of the hacking network believed to be involved in the operation.