Jo Joo-bin, Is the Death Penalty Possible? '9 Mobile Phones' Found... Evidence of Criminal Organization Formation

9 Mobile Phones Found at Jo Joo-bin's Residence
Suspected Use of 'Dapo-phones'... Evidence of Organized and Meticulous Crime
Intent to Confuse Police Investigation by Using Multiple Phones
Government Plans to Seek Maximum Legal Penalty if Criminal Organization Evidence Emerges

Jo Joo-bin, the operator of the 'Doctor's Room' who threatened dozens of women including minors on the internet messenger Telegram and forced them to film obscene materials which he then distributed, is seen on the morning of the 25th leaving Jongno Police Station in Seoul to be transferred to the prosecution. Photo by Moon Ho-nam munonam@

[Asia Economy Reporter Han Seung-gon] Jo Joo-bin (25, in custody), who threatened minors and women to share sexually exploitative materials on Telegram, is reported to have used as many as nine mobile phones, raising suspicions that he may have committed crimes in an organized manner using so-called 'daepo-pon' (phones registered under someone else's name).

Earlier, the government ordered active consideration of seeking the maximum legal penalty if the 'Nth Room' case is revealed as an organized crime. Accordingly, there is growing interest in whether Jo Joo-bin used nine mobile phones to communicate closely with others or operated the 'Nth Room' in an organized way through each phone. The maximum legal penalty is the death sentence.

On the 30th, the police are focusing on analyzing related materials, including nine mobile phones seized during a search of Jo’s residence. Among these, seven phones are known to have been deregistered or unused. Another phone was hidden inside the house and secured by the police.

The discovery of multiple phones at Jo Joo-bin’s residence raises suspicions that these are essentially 'daepo-pon'. Usually, one mobile phone is registered under one person's name.

Given the situation, some speculate that Jo Joo-bin carried out his crimes in an organized and meticulous manner. There are also suggestions that using multiple phones was intended to confuse the police investigation.

In summary, Jo Joo-bin’s nine mobile phones may serve as an important link to understanding how meticulously and systematically the 'Nth Room' case was conducted.

If Jo Joo-bin is found to have committed the crimes in an organized manner, charges such as organizing a criminal group may be applied, allowing for the pursuit of the maximum legal penalty.

Jo Joo-bin (25, in custody), who was arrested by the police on charges of distributing sexually exploitative materials created by threatening women including minors through the messenger Telegram, is seen leaving Jongno Police Station in Seoul on the 25th and heading to the prosecution detention center. Citizens holding protests demanding severe punishment for Jo. Photo by Asia Economy DB

On the afternoon of the 24th, the Ministry of Justice held an emergency briefing at the Seoul High Prosecutors’ Office in Seocho-dong, announcing a strong response policy against the 'Nth Room' sexual exploitation crimes.

In particular, for digital sex crime chatroom creators, operators, and active participants, the Ministry ordered thorough investigation of the operational structure and methods, including the crime period, number of people involved, organization, command system, and role distribution, and actively consider seeking the maximum legal penalty depending on the degree of involvement.

The Ministry of Justice emphasized, "We will track down all perpetrators to the end and take all measures, including international criminal judicial cooperation, to ensure strict punishment, protect victims, and promote legal amendments to eradicate digital sex crimes."

Urging Active Investigation into the Sharing of Sexual Exploitation Materials in the 'Nth Room' / Photo by Yonhap News

In the political sphere, legislation is underway to enact the 'Digital Crime Group Organization Act' and apply it retroactively for punishment. If Jo Joo-bin and other 'Nth Room' suspects committed crimes in an organized manner, they could be punished under this law.

Park Kwang-on, Supreme Council Member of the Democratic Party of Korea, announced on the 30th that he will push for the enactment of the 'Digital Crime Group Organization Act,' which punishes joining or entering online chatrooms containing digital sexual crime materials, and apply it retroactively to the 'Telegram Nth Room' sexual exploitation video distribution case.

On the same day, Park appeared on YTN Radio’s 'Noh Young-hee’s Starting Morning' and said regarding the 'Nth Room' case, "We intend to apply this law to the Nth Room case as well and activate discussions. We will discuss it in the standing committee, and if that is difficult, we will start discussions immediately after the election to publicize the possibility of retroactive legislation."

He added, "Although the Constitution and Criminal Law prohibit retroactive legislation, the Constitutional Court has exceptionally recognized retroactive legislation when there is a significant public interest. Since there is public consensus and sufficient social agreement on the Nth Room case, we need to discuss applying retroactive legislation."

*If you experience difficulties due to illegal filming or distribution of photos or videos, threats using such materials, or sexual harassment in cyberspace, you can receive support from the Women’s Emergency Hotline 1366 and the Digital Sexual Crime Victim Support Center (02-735-8994).

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