Police 'Special Investigation Headquarters' Established for 1 Month... Digital Sex Crime Investigation Enters Prolonged Phase

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 coming out of Jongno Police Station in Seoul on the morning of the 25th to be sent to the prosecution. / Photo by Moon Ho-nam munonam@

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Gwan-ju] As the Police Agency's 'Digital Sex Crime Special Investigation Headquarters,' launched in response to the Telegram 'Nth Room' case, marks exactly one month on the 25th, related investigations have entered a prolonged phase.

Except for some, including the original Nth Room creator with the nickname 'GodGod,' major operators of sexual exploitation chat rooms such as 'Doctor's Room' operator Jo Joo-bin (24, in custody) and accomplice 'Bbootta' Kang Hoon (18) have been apprehended. However, it is expected to take time to identify and investigate the approximately 15,000 paid members confirmed so far.

The Police Agency established the 'Digital Sex Crime Special Investigation Headquarters' on the 25th of last month. Within the special investigation headquarters, an investigation team and a victim protection team were set up to respond comprehensively and systematically to digital sex crimes through a 'two-track' approach of investigation and victim protection.

Since its launch, as of the 22nd, the police have arrested 340 suspects related to digital sex crimes and detained 51. The types of suspects include 146 involved in producing and distributing sexual exploitation materials, 95 in individual distribution, 17 in organized distribution, and 82 in other digital sex crimes such as deepfakes.

Meanwhile, the police arrested 'Private Lee,' with the nickname 'Igya,' identified as a co-operator of the 'Doctor's Room' alongside Jo Joo-bin, as well as former social service workers Kang Mo (24) and Choi Mo (26), who illegally obtained personal information and handed it over to Jo Joo-bin. A decision has been made to disclose the identity of accomplice 'Bbootta' Kang Hoon, and the military investigative authorities are expected to soon decide on the disclosure of 'Igya's' identity as well.

Additionally, among the 213 confirmed victims, 165 have been identified, and 161 have completed investigations. For the victims whose investigations are complete, 653 protection and support measures have been implemented, including pseudonymous statements, accompaniment by trusted persons during investigations, video deletion support and linkage, appointment of public defenders, recorded testimonies, and connections to Sunflower Centers and counseling centers.

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 transport vehicle on the 17th at Jongno Police Station in Seoul. Photo by Kang Jin-hyung aymsdream@

There have also been cases of sexual exploitation material distribution using other overseas secure messengers such as Discord and Wickr, not just Telegram. The Northern Gyeonggi Provincial Police Agency arrested 10 people, including three channel operators and seven sellers who distributed sexual exploitation materials on Discord, and the Police Agency's Cyber Safety Bureau achieved success by arresting an active social service worker who sold Nth Room sexual exploitation videos and photos using Wickr.

The police's digital sex crime investigations will continue for the time being. It is expected to take more time to arrest the original Nth Room creator 'GodGod.' The police reportedly have secured meaningful clues to identify GodGod. Investigations are also underway to identify the nickname 'Samagwi,' who is pointed out as an accomplice of Jo Joo-bin.

Above all, it is expected to take considerable time to investigate the 15,000 Telegram paid member nicknames confirmed so far. The police have pledged to punish all participants and distributors. This includes the full deployment of police 'investigation techniques' that have not been disclosed externally.

However, the process requires identifying who the nickname corresponds to offline, then confirming the specific charges after identifying the individual. Given the large number of participants, it is difficult to estimate how long this will take. This is why there are remarks inside and outside the police that "it will take at least about six months."

Separately, institutional improvements to respond to digital sex crimes are also underway. Measures under discussion include a complete ban on social service workers handling personal information and strengthening sentencing guidelines for digital sex crimes. In the investigative field, efforts are being made to expand 'undercover investigations.' The police plan to create guidelines outlining procedures and permissible aspects related to undercover investigations.

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