YG-affiliated B.I drug investigation cover-up charges denied by Yang Hyun-suk's side in first trial

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Daehyun] Yang Hyun-suk, former CEO of YG Entertainment (52), who was indicted on charges of attempting to cover up drug-related investigations involving former iKON member B.I (Kim Hanbin), denied the charges at his first trial.

At 11 a.m. on the 13th, during the first pretrial hearing of Yang's trial on charges of retaliatory threats under the Act on the Aggravated Punishment of Specific Crimes, held at the Seoul Central District Court Criminal Division 23 (Presiding Judge Yoo Young-geun), he pleaded not guilty. The pretrial hearing is a procedure to organize the evidence plan for the upcoming trial, and since the defendant is not required to attend, Yang did not appear in court that day.

Yang Hyun-suk, former CEO of YG Entertainment / Photo by Jinhyung Kang aymsdream@

Earlier, Yang was indicted on charges of attempting to cover up the investigation by persuading and threatening whistleblower A regarding allegations that B.I purchased and used drugs in August 2016. On this day, the prosecution explained that Yang threatened A at the YG headquarters, saying, "Killing you alone is nothing."

On the other hand, Yang's defense attorney argued, "It is true that we met with the whistleblower and talked, but there was no threat or coercion to make false statements." The defense attorney for YG Entertainment employee B, who was also indicted for handing money to the whistleblower under Yang's instructions, denied all charges.

The court decided to hold another pretrial hearing on September 17.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.