>Prosecutors had sought 15 years in prison and a 500 million won ($350,400) fine for Kim, along with a 500 million won fine for Kakao. As evidence, prosecutors cited transcripts of internal calls and claimed that Kim instructed staff to “peacefully take over” SM, which they interpreted as a directive to block HYBE’s offer.
But the court rejected that interpretation. “All participants testified that they did not understand his comments in that way,” the court said. “Even if the statement was made, it is more natural to understand it as a call to resolve the dispute peacefully, and there is insufficient evidence to conclude that Kakao acted with intent to manipulate the market.”
NiceStress on
Interesting. If this guy got away with no consequences, can BSH get away too?
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IndependentGood6329 on
Not surprised. They couldn’t get the right people to testify.
7 Comments
🥱 Do these chaebols ever get their just desserts? I’m sure nobody was expecting anything to come from this, but it’s frustrating nonetheless
First trial meaning is the case still going ? I am sorry I don’t know about this case that’s why asking 😞
This [article ](https://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/news/2025-10-21/national/socialAffairs/Kakao-its-founder-and-other-executives-acquitted-in-SM-takeover-case/2425381)has more information.
>Prosecutors had sought 15 years in prison and a 500 million won ($350,400) fine for Kim, along with a 500 million won fine for Kakao. As evidence, prosecutors cited transcripts of internal calls and claimed that Kim instructed staff to “peacefully take over” SM, which they interpreted as a directive to block HYBE’s offer.
But the court rejected that interpretation. “All participants testified that they did not understand his comments in that way,” the court said. “Even if the statement was made, it is more natural to understand it as a call to resolve the dispute peacefully, and there is insufficient evidence to conclude that Kakao acted with intent to manipulate the market.”
Interesting. If this guy got away with no consequences, can BSH get away too?
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Not surprised. They couldn’t get the right people to testify.
Water is wet