The prosecution has sought a three-year imprisonment term for Yang Hyun Suk, the representative producer of YG Entertainment, on charges involving threats of retaliation. The appeal trial for this case came to court on September 27 KST, presided over by Criminal Division 6-3 of the Seoul High Court. This was the fifth trial session for the former CEO Yang Hyun Suk and ex-YG manager, Mr. Kim, who were indicted for violating the Act on the Aggravated Punishment of Specific Crimes.

In delivering their final opinion, the prosecution asserted that Yang Hyun Suk intervened in the case of iKON B.I.'s drug crime informant, effectively neutralizing the report. Beyond the initial cover-up, the prosecution argued, B.I had seen his popularity and profits explode, with a substantial part of this wealth reverting to Yang Hyun Suk. The prosecution stressed its concern that the initial acquittal of the accused could enable further instances of skirting an unfair investigation. They insisted on Yang Hyun Suk's guilt, attributing his ability to manipulate the reporting statement to an abuse of power given his social status.

For their part, the defense for Yang Hyun Suk consistently refuted claims that their client threatened public informant Han Seo Hee to stall an investigation alleging that iKON's then member B.I had purchased and used drugs. In the first trial, despite the prosecution having argued that Yang had made threatening remarks towards Han Seo Hee, the court acquitted the former CEO. This ruling rested on the premise that for any threats or coercion to be punishable, the victim's freedom of opinion must be suppressed through fear incited by the defendant's actions. There was insufficient evidence, the court ruled, to prove that Yang Hyun Suk had indeed caused fear in the victim.

The prosecution thereafter appealed the verdict, contending that the trial court had misjudged the facts and misinterpreted the law. They maintained their argument at the appeal trial that Yang Hyun Suk had met with the victim at YG's office building and manipulated her through his words and actions, with assistance from an agency official. They further contended that Yang had tried to cover up B.I's crimes.

The defense, for their part, refused to agree to these accusations. They insisted that there were no requests for making false claims, nor any resorting to force. There was also skepticism about the credibility of Han Seo Hee's testimonies, citing inconsistencies in her statements. They also pointed out that although Han Seo Hee said she would submit a recorded file, she still had not done so.

At the end of the fourth trial, Han Seo Hee, amid a teary-eyed confession, expressed that she hoped the defendant wouldn't be punished. She claimed all she wanted from Yang was a sincere apology. The prosecution, meanwhile, continues to demand a three-year prison sentence for Yang Hyun Suk and two years for his former manager Mr. Kim.