2015 – MBK Partners acquires 100 % of Homeplus from Tesco for 7.2 trillion won, taking full responsibility for the retailer’s strategy and financing, a deal that later becomes central to a criminal probe over Homeplus’s collapse [6][7][5].

April 2024 – A dispute erupts between Hybe and ADOR over Min Hee‑jin’s actions, which Hybe claims breach the shareholders’ agreement by targeting NewJeans and pushing an ADOR IPO, setting the stage for later litigation [1].

August 2024 – Hybe dismisses Min Hee‑jin as ADOR CEO after alleging she acted against Hybe’s interests, intensifying the put‑option conflict that will lead to a court‑ordered payment [1].

Feb 28 2025 – Korea Ratings downgrades Homeplus to A3‑minus, a rating cut that prosecutors later link to a large short‑term bond sale alleged to have been timed to the downgrade [6][4][7].

Mar 2025 – Homeplus files for court‑led rehabilitation four days after the downgrade, initiating a restructuring process that triggers investigations into MBK’s management decisions [6][4][7].

Dec 4 2025 – The Seoul Southern District Court freezes Bang Si‑hyuk’s Hybe shares worth 156.8 billion won as an asset‑preservation order amid a probe into alleged unfair stock trading and misleading investors in 2019 [8].

Jan 7 2026 – Seoul prosecutors request a warrant to question MBK Partners chairman Kim Byung‑ju and three senior executives about alleged fraud and Capital Markets Act violations tied to the Homeplus bond sale, moving the investigation toward possible arrests [7].

Jan 8 2026 – The Seoul Central District Court schedules a hearing for the following Tuesday to decide whether to issue arrest warrants for Kim Byung‑ju, three MBK executives, and a Homeplus co‑CEO, emphasizing the alleged large bond sale around the credit downgrade [6].

Jan 11 2026 – A hearing is set to determine arrest warrants for MBK leaders, while analysts note that the outcome could affect the upcoming March 2026 shareholders’ meeting on Korea Zinc’s control battle and a planned 10 trillion‑won joint investment with the U.S. government [5].

Jan 12 2026 – The court holds the arrest‑warrant hearing, focusing on whether the short‑term Homeplus bond issuance violated securities law, with a ruling expected later that day [4].

Jan 13 2026 – MBK chairman Kim Byung‑ju appears at the Seoul Central District Court without commenting, as the court deliberates the arrest‑warrant request for him and other executives [3].

Jan 14 2026 – The Seoul Central District Court denies the arrest warrants for Kim Byung‑ju and three MBK executives, citing insufficient evidence and no flight‑risk concerns, marking a setback for prosecutors [2].

Feb 20 2026 – Hybe files an appeal with Seoul Central District Court’s Civil Division 31, seeking a stay of the lower‑court order that obliges it to pay Min Hee‑jin 25.5 billion won in put‑option compensation and also 1.7 billion won and 1.4 billion won to two former ADOR executives, while arguing Min breached the shareholders’ contract [1].

Mar 2026 (planned) – Korea Zinc’s shareholders’ meeting is slated for March, where the outcome may be influenced by the MBK legal developments and the announced 10 trillion‑won joint investment with the U.S. government, potentially reshaping control of the critical‑metals firm [5].