"Why Are Men Treated as Potential Criminals?" Heated Debate in Bamboo Forest

Discussion on the 'Telegram n-bunbang' Case in University Bamboo Forests
Some Students Complain, "Why Are Innocent Men Treated Like Sex Offenders?"

A man in his 20s, Jo Joo-bin, who was arrested on charges of threatening minors and others to produce sexual exploitation materials and distributing them on the mobile messenger Telegram, is seen leaving the courtroom after the warrant hearing at the Seoul Central District Court in Seocho-dong, Seoul, on the afternoon of the 19th. / Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporters Suwan Kim and Intern Reporter Juhyung Lim] Amid the social outrage over the 'Telegram n-bang' case, where minors and women were threatened, sexually exploited, and sexually exploitative materials were produced, sold, and distributed, some men are expressing frustration, claiming they are being unfairly treated. This comes as criticisms arise suggesting that almost all men are involved in the 'n-bang' like the suspect Jo Joo-bin (25). Men are collectively voicing their grievances, pleading not to be treated as 'potential criminals.'

On the afternoon of the 24th, a post appeared on the Seoul National University Bamboo Forest page stating, "I am someone who, fortunately, has never experienced direct harm from personal information leaks."

The author wrote, "I am a lucky woman in my twenties who grew up without experiencing common domestic violence, neglect, or school violence," adding, "I was never exposed to sexual violence before becoming an adult. However, I feel deeply ashamed and sorry about the current tragedy."

She continued, "We are all (perpetrators of the n-bang case)," arguing, "While we do not share the same thoughts or express the same desires as they do, it is our collective responsibility that we have failed to illuminate the dark corners of our society."

Digital Sex Crimes / Photo by Yonhap News

However, some students expressed dissatisfaction with this viewpoint. One student commented, "It is indeed a tragic and infuriating case, but why are we all considered perpetrators?" and asked, "Did I participate in or condone that incident?"

Another student said, "Rather, we are all victims," expressing fatigue by stating, "Because of this social atmosphere, even decent men feel like sex offenders and are on edge."

Similar opinions continued on other Bamboo Forest pages. One student said, "Those who deserve criticism in the 'n-bang' incident are the people who made the videos and those who directly watched them," adding, "But it is also problematic to accuse innocent people by asking, 'Have you ever been in the n-bang?' or 'You are also a bystander,' or to intentionally inflate the numbers."

They added, "I hope the focus remains on protecting victims and strictly punishing perpetrators," and "Please do not inflict verbal violence on unrelated people."

President Moon Jae-in / Photo by Yonhap News

Meanwhile, a Blue House petition demanding the disclosure of the identities of all suspects and members of the 'n-bang' chat rooms has garnered over 4.1 million signatures as of this date.

President Moon Jae-in expressed, "Regarding the 'n-bang' case, I sincerely offer my condolences as president to the female victims, including 16 children and adolescents, and empathize with the rightful anger of the people," according to Blue House spokesperson Kang Min-seok on the 23rd.

Additionally, Seo Ji-hyun, Special Advisor on Gender Equality Policy at the Ministry of Justice, appealed for nationwide anger, not just from women, during an emergency briefing on the 'Telegram n-bang case' held at the National Assembly.

Advisor Seo stated, "This case is not just a problem for some victims or women," adding, "How we handle the 'n-bang' will determine the future of us and our children."

She continued, "Because sex offenders have not been properly punished, people without a proper sense of guilt are mass-producing perpetrators and victims through changed platforms," warning, "If we continue to condone and overlook sex crimes as we do now, our children will truly live in hell."

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