Asia

Prosecutors Seek 15-Year Term for Billionaire Kakao Founder

Brian Kim leaves the Seoul Southern District Court on Aug. 29.Photographer: SeongJoon Cho/Bloomberg

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By Yoolim Lee

August 29, 2025 at 7:00 AM UTC

Updated on

August 29, 2025 at 9:44 AM UTC

South Korean prosecutors sought a 15-year prison term for Kakao Corp. founder Brian Kim, accusing the billionaire of manipulating stock prices during a high-stakes takeover battle for K-pop powerhouse SM Entertainment Co.

At the final hearing on Friday, prosecutors also asked the Seoul Southern District Court to levy a 500 million won ($360,000) fine on Kim, Korea’s top internet entrepreneur. The court will deliver a verdict on Oct. 21.