Prosecutors Conduct First Summons Interrogation of Jo Joo-bin... Decide to Disclose Personal Information and Investigation Status

Attendance at the First Investigation of the Lawyer Who Resigned the Previous Day

Telegram 'Baksa Bang' Operator Jo Joo-bin
[Photo by Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Choi Seok-jin] The prosecution summoned Jo Joo-bin (24), the suspect in the Telegram 'Baksa Bang' case, for investigation on the 26th, just one day after transferring him.

The Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office Digital Sex Crime Special Investigation Task Force announced that Jo would be summoned for questioning that morning. However, the prosecution stated that specific investigation details would be disclosed according to regulations only after the summons interrogation of Jo is completed.

The prosecution is expected to focus on questioning Jo about whether he threatened victims, forced them to film videos, and whether there were any accomplices involved.

Given the extensive nature of Jo's alleged crimes, the prosecution is expected to conduct intensive investigations from the first day, as they must complete the investigation within the maximum 20-day detention period.

The prosecution also revealed that Yang Je-min, a lawyer from the Oh Hyun law firm who submitted a resignation letter the previous day, is scheduled to attend the investigation with Jo. Known as a digital forensics specialist, Lawyer Yang decided to resign after determining that the family's explanation of the case as a 'simple sex crime' was vastly different from the facts he personally confirmed, making it impossible to continue the defense. However, he is expected to be present only for the first interrogation.

Meanwhile, the prosecution held a Criminal Case Disclosure Deliberation Committee the previous day and resolved to disclose Jo's personal information and investigation status, considering the content and seriousness of the case. The committee stated that it comprehensively considered ▲the suspect's human rights ▲investigation fairness ▲the public's right to know ▲prevention of recidivism and crime, among other public interests.

According to this decision, Jo's real name, specific status, and some investigation details will be exceptionally disclosed even before indictment. A prosecution official said, "We plan to provide public information about the investigation status within the scope that does not interfere with the investigation, in accordance with relevant regulations."

The previous day, the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office formed the 'Digital Sex Crime Special Investigation TF' to strictly respond to cases such as illegal distribution of sexual exploitation videos, and assigned Jo's case to Deputy Chief Prosecutor Yoo Hyun-jung of the Women and Children Crime Investigation Department, who oversees the TF.

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