Amid BTS’s concerts in Las Vegas, the issue of HYBE violating the anti-graft law was raised
Amid BTS’s concerts in Las Vegas from April 8th to April 9th and the 15th to the 16th (local time) in the U.S., the issue of HYBE violating the anti-graft law was raised as many suspected the company of supporting the cost of 100 reporters who went to cover the performance.
According to Newsis on April 9th, the Korean Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission said in a press release that BTS’s agency, HYBE, provided financial support for overseas media coverage, “If journalists and press staffs go on a business trip, it’s mandatory that they pay for their own fees such as plane tickets and accommodations. They will be punished for violating the anti-graft law if these fees are supported by the assigned company (which they are going to report about).”
Earlier on April 8th, Media Today reported in a report titled “About 100 reporters who went to a Las Vegas concert with support from BTS’s agency,” that HYBE invited more than 100 journalists to BTS’s concerts Las Vegas and provided air tickets, accommodation, meals, and local COVID-19 test costs.
In addition, HYBE told Media Today, “We asked the Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission about the matter after consulting the legal team and received an answer. It is not a violation of the anti-graft law to provide the same provision in official events within the usual range.”
The Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission said, “We have not answered that support for foreign media coverage by the certain company (HYBE) is not a violation of the anti-graft law,” adding, “We presented a basic explanation for the general question of whether companies can support flight tickets and accommodation costs to reporters at official events.”
Meanwhile, BTS will hold “BTS PERMISSION TO DANCE ON STAGE” concerts at Alligator Stadium in Las Vegas from April 8th to 9th and 15th to 16th.
