Kim Jong Un Can Build Rockets, But He Will Never Build K-Pop

It’s quite remarkable when you think about it—Korean culture is making waves globally, especially considering South Korea’s population is smaller than that of Colombia. The surge in interest is astounding.

According to reports, between 2016 and 2021, the number of American college students learning Korean jumped by 38%. This uptick appears to coincide with a period when Korean content, like the Oscar-winning “Parasite” and K-pop sensation BTS, gained huge popularity in the U.S. South Korea is now home to Netflix’s most-watched series, “Squid Game,” as well as the hit film “KPop Demon Hunter.” It’s funny how parents are now mentioning their kids’ love for K-Pop comics, while the iconic characters from their own childhoods seem to fade away.

Cultural soft power has been a long-standing asset for the United States, with the world engaging deeply with American movies, shows, and music, which influenced places like Eastern Europe during the Cold War. So, it’s puzzling to see South Korea, a country that has mastered this art, seeming to target one of its key players.

Bang Si-hyuk, chairman of HYBE—home to BTS—is under investigation for alleged fraud related to HYBE’s initial public offering. However, the accusations appear to lack substance, especially since no investor complaints emerged in the years after the IPO. Oddly enough, the very institutional investors that the government claims were wronged, seem to see things differently, stating they don’t view themselves as victims because they profited significantly from their investments.

South Korea should probably be celebrating Bang’s contributions to its cultural influence rather than treating him as a target. His indictment is occurring during a turbulent time in South Korea, where concerns about potential martial law loom, highlighted by an attack on churches, which has drawn commentary from various political figures, including President Trump.

Unfortunately, South Korea’s track record for prosecuting high-profile business leaders hasn’t been great. For instance, CEO Kim Bum-soo of Kakao was recently cleared of stock manipulation charges, and several members of the LG family’s leadership faced similar situations, only to be acquitted later due to lack of evidence.

There’s a troubling pattern where major players in the business sector often face criminal scrutiny yet end up pardoned, suggesting an inconsistent approach to law enforcement. It’s almost as if you haven’t truly made it in Korea until you face handcuffs.

These legal battles can erode trust and discourage foreign investment. Capital generally seeks stability, and South Korea’s environment may not be as inviting as it once was. It’s not just about local tycoons; reports have surfaced about the Fair Trade Commission’s aggressive tactics against U.S. companies, leading to significant unrest.

Foreign firms have reported intense scrutiny from the South Korean government, including unexpectedly aggressive investigations, yet similar actions against competitors in China seem rare. Overall, these barriers aren’t just affecting outsiders; they can be detrimental to the local economy as well.

South Korea could opt for a more constructive strategy—rewarding growth instead of punishing it. There’s plenty to learn from international examples of how an overzealous approach to law enforcement can backfire. Take the prosecution of President Trump; it damaged the U.S.’s standing worldwide. A similar policing mentality might steer South Korea down an unfortunate path, leading to an environment as unfriendly to business as that of Pyongyang.