Are 1-Won Sponsors Accomplices? Viewers of Live-Streamed Sexual Exploitation of Minors Under Investigation

Controversy Over Legal Liability as Investigation Expands
"Whether They Knew the Victim Was a Minor Is Key"

Police investigating cases of sexual exploitation of minors through internet broadcasting have expanded criminal liability to include sponsors. With 280 individuals who transferred sponsorship funds now under suspicion of aiding and abetting, attention is focused on the direction of the investigation and the legal judgment to follow.

According to Yonhap News on October 7, the Incheon Seobu Police Station arrested a man in his 30s, referred to as Mr. A, last month on charges of producing and distributing sexual exploitation material targeting children and adolescents online. Seven others, including a man in his 20s referred to as Mr. B, were booked without detention for their involvement. The group is alleged to have featured a minor, referred to as Mr. C, in a live broadcast on an internet platform on July 12, during which illegal sexual acts were streamed in real time.

Police investigating cases of sexual exploitation of minors through internet broadcasting have expanded criminal liability to include sponsors as well (not directly related to the article). Pixabay

During the broadcast, under the pretense of performing penalties, the broadcasters repeatedly engaged in inappropriate physical contact with Mr. C, and these scenes were aired live. Viewers sent sponsorship funds to the broadcasters while the show was ongoing, continuously encouraging the situation, and it was confirmed that 280 individuals directly participated in these transfers. The amounts ranged from as little as 1 won to as much as 10,000 won.

Notably, the broadcasters set up a system where, once a certain amount of money was collected, they would spin a roulette with sexually explicit instructions and assign a "penalty" to Mr. C. Police have focused on the fact that this method went beyond a simple performance and escalated into organized sexual exploitation.

In addition to the basic investigation into Mr. A and his group, police are tracking the sponsorship transactions to determine whether the viewers' actions substantially encouraged the commission of sexual crimes. Under criminal law, aiding and abetting includes not only simple participation but also acts that enable or promote the execution of a crime. Therefore, whether those who watched the broadcast and provided financial support contributed to the establishment of the crime is a key issue.

The legal community is divided on this matter. One attorney stated, "Possession of child sexual exploitation material is punishable even for viewing alone, and providing sponsorship makes the charge of aiding and abetting even more likely," adding, "Most importantly, whether the sponsors were aware that the victim was a minor will be a critical factor in the judgment."

Police are also emphasizing that viewers voluntarily sent money while being aware of the specific contents of the roulette penalties, and that this directly enabled the sexual exploitation of a minor.

An investigative official stated, "Regardless of the amount sent, the act of sponsorship itself was considered an element that enabled the crime," adding, "We plan to summon the identified 280 individuals in turn for questioning."

There is an assessment that this investigation could serve as an opportunity to raise social awareness about sexual crimes against minors. While the actual punishment will depend on the court's future judgment, it is clear that police are showing strong determination in investigating this case.

Mr. A, the central figure in the case, has been referred to the prosecution and is currently under arrest and indictment. The first trial is scheduled to take place at 10:00 a.m. on October 16 at the Incheon District Court.