Prosecutors Complete Investigation of 'Butta' Kang Hoon and Order Detention... Plan to Disclose Investigation Status

by Choi Sukjin

Published 17 Apr.2020 22:23(KST)

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Kang Hoon, known as 'Buddha,' the co-operator of the Telegram 'Doctor's Room' along with Jo Joo-bin, is being transferred to the prosecution by a police escort vehicle on the 17th at Jongno Police Station in Seoul. Photo by Kang Jin-hyung aymsdream@

[Asia Economy Reporter Choi Seok-jin] Kang Hoon (18), known as 'Butta', who is accused of producing and distributing sexual exploitation materials on Telegram's 'Doctor's Room' along with Jo Joo-bin (24, detained and indicted), has returned to the detention center after his first prosecution investigation.

The prosecution decided to disclose Kang's personal information and investigation status following Jo's case.

The Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office Digital Sex Crime Special Investigation Task Force (Team Leader Yoo Hyun-jung, Female Deputy Chief) conducted Kang's first suspect interrogation from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. on the 17th, after which he was detained at Seoul Detention Center.

Kang is accused of recruiting and managing participants in the Doctor's Room under the Telegram alias 'Butta' and delivering criminal proceeds to Jo.

The prosecution believes Kang acted as a sort of 'fund manager,' converting cryptocurrency paid by paid members as entrance fees into cash and transferring it to Jo.

Many of the nine charges applied to Kang by the police involve conspiracy with Jo in operating the Doctor's Room.

Currently, Jo's side claims that three individuals with nicknames 'Butta,' 'Samagwi,' and 'Igya' jointly operated the Doctor's Room, while Kang denies some charges, including sharing criminal proceeds with Jo.

Earlier, the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency applied charges including violation of the Youth Protection Act against Kang and sent him to the prosecution with a recommendation for indictment on the morning of the same day.

Meanwhile, the prosecution held a criminal case disclosure review committee in the afternoon and resolved to disclose Kang's personal information and some ongoing investigation details through additional review of the Doctor's Room case.

The police also held a personal information disclosure committee the previous day and decided to reveal Kang's name, age, and face. Kang filed a lawsuit at the Seoul Administrative Court to cancel the disclosure order and requested a suspension of execution, but it was dismissed.