U.S. Embassy Requests Temporary Lift of Travel Ban on HYBE Chairman Bang Si-hyuk for BTS World Tour Discussions
According to multiple reports on April 19, 2026, the embassy sent an official letter to the National Police Agency requesting that Bang, along with other senior HYBE executives including CEO Lee Jae-sang and Vice President Kim Hyun-jung, be permitted to travel to the United States. The request is believed to be tied to preparations for BTS’s ARIRANG world tour and related cultural-economic activities.
Bang Si-hyuk has been under a travel ban since August 2025 as part of an ongoing police investigation into alleged fraudulent and unfair trading practices during HYBE’s IPO process. He has been summoned for questioning five times, and authorities are currently in the final legal review stage.
The U.S. Embassy’s intervention highlights the significant international interest in BTS’s activities and HYBE’s global influence. Industry observers note that Bang’s direct involvement is considered crucial for high-level strategic decisions regarding the group’s massive comeback tour.
Neither HYBE nor the U.S. Embassy has issued an official public comment on the matter. The National Police Agency is expected to review the request and decide whether to grant a temporary exemption.
This development comes as BTS continues its highly anticipated full-group world tour, which has generated enormous global anticipation. Bang Si-hyuk, widely regarded as the architect behind BTS’s success, remains a central figure in both the company’s operations and the ongoing legal probe.
The outcome of the embassy’s request could have implications for HYBE’s international business engagements in the coming months.
