[Comprehensive] Even at 6 Months Old, Pornography... 'Dark Web Son Jung-woo' Father Appeals for Leniency Saying "Did Not Commit Rape"

'Child Sexual Exploitation Material' Son Jung-woo's Father Appeals for Leniency via Blue House Petition
"Not Originally a Naturally Evil Child"
"Has Not Committed Crimes Like Robbery, Murder, or Attempted Rape"
"If Sent to the US, We Don't Know When He Will Return"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Han Seung-gon] On the 4th, the father of Son Jeong-woo (24), who was arrested on charges including operating the world's largest child sexual exploitation dark web site 'Welcome to Video,' posted a petition on the Blue House National Petition Board asking to prevent his son's extradition to the United States, drawing criticism. It is known that videos featuring infants as young as six months old appeared on this dark web site. A total of 8TB (terabytes) of about 200,000 pornographic materials were distributed on this site.

In the petition he posted, Son's father mentioned his son's unfortunate family background and claimed that "he started it to earn pocket money, and later committed the crime in the process of saving money to move to a bigger house," arguing that part of the motive for the crime was unavoidable.

He added, "He never received education on the seriousness of media crimes or sentencing from a young age," and "(He dropped out of middle school) so he did not attend school well."

He also emphasized, "He is not originally a malicious child and did not commit crimes such as robbery, murder, or attempted rape," and "This is not a request for leniency but a request that the remaining crimes be punished in Korea."

Son's father explained in a phone call with Yonhap News Agency on the same day, "If he is sent to the U.S., we don't know when he will return; this is equivalent to the death penalty," and "I posted the national petition with the intention that he receive punishment appropriate to his crime in Korea, where his family is."

The petition does not meet the '100 preliminary consenters' requirement, so it is not visible on the public board. However, it can be accessed via the internet URL.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

◆ "The first website to monetize child pornography"

According to major foreign media on October 16 last year (local time), investigative agencies from 32 countries including Korea, the U.S., and the U.K. arrested 337 users from 38 countries, including Korean operator Son Jeong-woo of the child pornography dark web 'Welcome to Video,' which had servers in Korea.

The dark web refers to web areas that cannot be accessed through general internet web browsers. It can only be accessed through special browsers. Because IP addresses and other data are encrypted for communication, it guarantees thorough anonymity and is difficult to trace.

According to reports, users converted Bitcoin into points that could be used like money on the website to download videos or purchase so-called 'VIP accounts' that allowed unlimited video viewing for six months.

The U.S. Department of Justice stated, "The site named 'Welcome to Video' operated by Son is one of the first websites to monetize child pornography using Bitcoin."

Son Jeong-woo was investigated to have provided sexual exploitation videos to over 4,000 paid users worldwide and collected virtual currency worth $370,000 (about 400 million KRW).

A total of 8TB (terabytes) of about 200,000 pornographic materials were distributed on this site. Users searched videos using specific keywords. Investigation results revealed that on February 8, 2018, among the 'top' search terms were '%2yo (2 years old)' and '%4yo (4 years old)'.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Son was sentenced to 1 year and 6 months in prison for operating the 'Welcome to Video' site on the dark web and distributing sexual exploitation materials from July 2015 to March 2018, and he completed his sentence on the 27th of last month.

In this regard, the U.S. federal grand jury indicted Son Jeong-woo in August 2018 on six counts and nine charges including distribution of child pornography. Accordingly, the U.S. Department of Justice requested his extradition under the extradition treaty ahead of his release, and has been in related consultations with the Korean Ministry of Justice.

However, under the principle of prohibition of double jeopardy, only the money laundering charge is subject to review for extradition.

Regarding this, Son filed a detention review petition with the court (Seoul High Court Criminal Division 5, Presiding Judge Yoon Kang-yeol) on the 3rd, but it was dismissed. The court stated, "Considering the extradition review request records and the results of the hearing, the petitioner is considered a flight risk, and continued detention is necessary."

Son's extradition review will be held on the 19th at the Seoul High Court Criminal Division 20 (Presiding Judge Kang Young-soo). The decision on Son's extradition will be made within about two months after the final hearing.

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