Jo Joo-bin's Trial Today, Expected to Appear in Court in Person

Most Related Cases Merged... Prosecution Plans Additional Requests
20s Individual Admits Charges for Producing Sexual Exploitation Material Under Doctor's Orders

[Asia Economy Reporter Seongpil Cho] The trial for Jo Joo-bin (24, in custody) and his accomplices, who were indicted for producing and distributing sexual exploitation materials in the Telegram chatroom 'Baksa Bang,' began on the 29th.

The Seoul Central District Court Criminal Division 30 (Chief Judge Lee Hyun-woo) held the first pretrial conference at 2 p.m. on the same day for Jo and two others, who were indicted on charges including violation of the Act on the Protection of Children and Juveniles Against Sexual Abuse. The pretrial conference is a procedure to organize issues for the trial. Although the defendants are not obligated to attend, Jo is expected to appear in court to observe the judicial process. Jo's legal representative, Attorney Kim Ho-je, said in a phone interview with reporters that morning, "The defendant plans to appear in court personally."

Jo was arrested and indicted on charges of threatening 25 women from May last year to February this year to film, sell, and distribute sexual exploitation materials. Among the 25 victims, eight are minors. Jo is also accused of ordering an accomplice to attempt sexual assault and engage in similar sexual acts with one minor victim. When indicting Jo, the prosecution also brought former social service worker Kang Mo (24) and Lee Mo (16), known as 'Taepyeongyang,' to trial for their involvement in operating Baksa Bang.

The day before, the court reassigned Kang's separate case, in which he was indicted for threatening his homeroom teacher during school days, to Criminal Division 30. Lee's separate case, in which he was indicted for creating a chatroom called 'Taepyeongyang Expedition' and distributing sexual exploitation videos, has also been consolidated there. Most cases related to Jo are thus gathered in Criminal Division 30.

The prosecution is reportedly planning to request the consolidation of the case involving former Geoje City Hall official Cheon Mo (29), who was dismissed due to involvement in Baksa Bang, with Jo's case. Additionally, the prosecution is expected to request case consolidation with the court for Park Mo (22), a cryptocurrency exchanger who underwent a pretrial detention hearing that morning, as soon as he is indicted.

Meanwhile, at 10:20 a.m. on the same day, the first trial for another accomplice of Jo, Han Mo (27), was held under the Criminal Division 31 (Chief Judge Jo Seong-pil) of the same court. Han was indicted for attempting sexual assault on one minor victim under Jo's orders and filming the act. Han admitted to all charges during the trial. The prosecution stated, "A separate investigation on Han is ongoing," and added, "A decision on additional indictment will be made in about a month."

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