"n번방, Den of Antisocial Crimes"…United Party Proposes Identity Disclosure and Centuries-Long Sentences

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Ji-eun] The United Future Party raised its voice for punishment, calling the so-called 'n번방' case, in which obscene materials were produced targeting women including minors on Telegram, a "den of antisocial crimes."

Hwang Kyo-ahn, leader of the United Future Party, emphasized on Facebook on the 24th that "n번방 is not simply a space for deviation but a den of crime where antisocial groups gather," stressing the need for strong punishment.

He said, "Digital sex crimes are more vicious and dangerous. However, the level of punishment for perpetrators is too weak," adding, "Only strong punishment can eradicate digital sex crimes and establish a victim protection system from there. Members who paid money to participate in this grotesque case must also be thoroughly investigated and punished according to their actions."

Park Hyung-joon, co-chairman of the United Future Party's joint election committee, also said, "Regarding the n번방 case, the maximum possible measures must be taken," and "Based on the bill proposed by Representative Hong Cheol-ho, discussions on this matter should be held regardless of party lines."

Representative Hong announced earlier that day that he would propose a bill to disclose the identities of n번방 victims. He plans to actively handle the bill in the 21st National Assembly by adding those who produce and distribute child and youth-related obscene materials and hidden camera videos related to sex to the 'Special Act on the Punishment of Specific Violent Crimes,' which he originally proposed in January 2018.

He stated, "If elected as a member of the 21st National Assembly, I will propose a bill to designate acts of producing or distributing obscene materials involving children and youth or videos that induce sexual desire or shame against a person's will using cameras as specific violent crimes, and to allow the National Assembly to request the government to disclose the face, name, age, and other personal information of those who committed such crimes by resolution," adding, "It is necessary to actively reflect the social impact and expand the types of violent crimes accordingly."

Additionally, Cheon Ha-ram, a United Future Party candidate running in Suncheon, Gwangyang, Gokseong, and Gurye Gap, said, "In cases like the n번방 incident where one person commits multiple crimes, let's introduce the 'American-style cumulative sentencing' that sums up all sentences for each crime," and added, "Since there is no upper limit on the sentence, it is possible to impose sentences of hundreds of years."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.