7 Public Officials Who Granted Personal Information Access Rights to 'Baksa Bang' Accomplices Sent to Prosecution

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Gwan-joo] Public officials who granted administrative authorities' access rights to social service agent accomplices, allowing them to view the personal information of victims used in the sexual exploitation process by Cho Ju-bin (24, detained), the operator of the 'Doctor's Room,' have been collectively referred to the prosecution.

The Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency's Intelligent Crime Investigation Unit announced on the 1st that they have sent seven public officials who provided IDs and passwords for various administrative information inquiry and issuance systems to social service agents, accomplices of Cho, to the prosecution with an opinion for indictment on charges of violating the Electronic Signature Act and the Electronic Government Act, as well as dereliction of duty.

These officials were in supervisory positions over Choi (26, detained), who worked at a community service center in Songpa-gu as a social service agent, and Kang (24, detained), who worked at Suwon Yeongtong District Office, and are accused of handing over their certified digital signatures and passwords to allow them to perform their duties.

Choi was detained on the 3rd of last month on charges of illegally accessing the personal information of about 200 people while assisting with the issuance of resident registration certificates and extracts at the community center, and providing the personal information of 17 of them to Cho.

Kang was also detained and prosecuted for accessing the district office's computer network to view the personal information of female victims and their families, then passing it on to Cho and requesting retaliation, and is currently on trial at the Seoul Central District Court.

The police stated, "It is understood that such cases have occurred in the past as well," and added, "Relevant ministries have repeatedly instructed not to disclose system access IDs and passwords to social service agents and to strictly manage their service duties."

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