"Arrest the Members Too" Women's Groups 'Angry' Over 'GodGod' Arrest

First Creator of n-Bang Caught by Police
Citizens Express Anger: "All Viewers Should Be Arrested," "Punish Members"
Government Plans Strict Punishment for Possession and Purchase

On March 25, as the vehicle carrying Jo Joo-bin, the operator of the 'Baksa Room' accused of producing and distributing sexual exploitation materials of women including minors on the internet messenger Telegram, left the Jongno Police Station in Seoul and headed to the prosecution detention center, citizens held a picket protest demanding severe punishment for Jo Joo-bin. Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Suwan] As 'GodGod,' known as the first creator of the Telegram n-room, was apprehended, women's organizations have called for severe punishment for the viewers.

The Cyber Safety Division of the Gyeongbuk Provincial Police Agency announced on the 11th that they had applied for an arrest warrant against A (24), the operator of the Telegram 'n-room' (chat name 'GodGod'), on charges including violation of the Child and Youth Sexual Protection Act.

The police summoned A on the 9th for investigation and reportedly obtained a confession from A that he was indeed GodGod.

A set up eight Telegram rooms last year on February, naming them from 1 to 8, and uploaded personal information and sexually exploitative materials of female victims with different characters in each room.

It was also confirmed that hundreds of sexual exploitation videos of 3 to 4 female victims were uploaded in each n-room. Notably, A reportedly impersonated the police to obtain personal information of the victims, sparking national outrage.

As a result, civic groups have strongly criticized, saying "Arrest the members too," and "All viewers must be caught."

A in their 20s, an office worker, said, "All those who watched should be severely punished," adding, "If this case is brushed aside again, digital crimes will evolve further." They continued, "I heard that many related bills are still stalled. They must be passed quickly to strengthen punishments."

B (42), a housewife with a fifth-grade elementary school daughter, expressed, "Many victims included young students. As a mother with a daughter, I believe the Telegram n-room case must be eradicated this time," and added, "It is only right to disclose the identities of members and even the viewers of the videos," expressing her anger.

On March 23, in front of the National Assembly building in Yeouido, Seoul, participants at the press conference condemning the 'Telegram Nth Room Prevention Act' (amended Sexual Violence Punishment Act) are urging the eradication of digital sex crimes and demanding strict punishment. Photo by Yonhap News

Moreover, numerous public petitions with titles such as "n-room users should be punished with the maximum legal penalty as accomplices in production, not just simple possessors," "All users of sexual exploitation chat rooms should be identified and registered in the 'Sex Offender Notification e' system," "Employment restrictions should be applied," and "Please reveal all identities of n-room users" have been posted on the Blue House bulletin board.

The petitioners urged, "There is no need for legal protection for n-room users. Whether they paid to enter or entered by mistake, they are all criminals," and "Please reveal all identities of n-room users so that citizens can be freed from fear."

In response to this national outrage, women's groups have also voiced their anger, demanding strict punishment.

Jo Jinkyeong, head of the Teenage Women's Human Rights Center, said, "Although the n-room case has become a major social issue, the number of consultations related to digital sexual crimes at our center remains high," adding, "I believe it is really important to catch and eradicate criminals related to digital sexual crimes."

She continued, "It is also important that related laws are introduced and enacted in the process," emphasizing, "The 20th National Assembly is about to end. In the current situation, I believe that even if it is the next 21st National Assembly, pending bills should be passed and many new bills should be introduced."

Seo Seunghui, head of the Korea Cyber Sexual Violence Response Center, said, "Of course, the identities of members and chat room participants should be disclosed and punished," adding, "In GodGod's case, most victims are minors. This is illegal under current law. They should be punished according to the Act on the Protection of Children and Youth Against Sexual Offenses."

She added, "Possession of sexually exploitative materials by viewing or holding them can also be subject to possession charges under the Child and Youth Sexual Protection Act," and "Even if someone only chatted in the room, charges such as defamation could apply. If the perpetrator can be identified, even if not fully, they can be punished. I hope that laws such as the Information and Communications Network Act will be amended so that digital sexual crimes can be severely punished."

Several public petitions with titles such as "N번방 users should be punished with the maximum legal sentence as accomplices in production, not just simple possessors," "All users of sexual exploitation chat rooms should be identified and registered in the 'Sex Offender Notification e' system," "Employment restrictions should be applied to certain occupations," and "Please reveal all personal information of N번방 users" have been posted on the Blue House bulletin board. Photo by Yonhap News

The government announced plans to impose strong penalties on possession or purchase acts as well.

Hwang Yunjung, Director of the Rights Promotion Bureau at the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family, said, "The basic government stance in this digital policy is to strengthen punishment for possession and purchase acts," adding, "Since the police and prosecution are actively responding to paid members of the Doctor's Room, I believe they will also actively investigate GodGod."

Meanwhile, the National Assembly's Science, Technology, Information and Broadcasting Committee held a plenary meeting on the 7th and passed a bill requiring information and communication service providers to appoint a person responsible for preventing the distribution of digital sexual crime materials.

This bill is the so-called 'n-room prevention' bill aimed at preventing recurrence of the 'Telegram n-room' case, which involved distribution and sale of sexually exploitative materials.

The amendment to the Information and Communications Network Act (Act on Promotion of Information and Communications Network Utilization and Information Protection, etc.) passed that day requires service providers meeting criteria set by presidential decree to designate a person responsible for preventing distribution of illegal filming materials.

The bills must pass the Legislation and Judiciary Committee review and the plenary session to be enacted. The last session of the 20th National Assembly is scheduled to end on the 15th.

Also, it is known that many bills aimed at eradicating the n-room case are currently pending in the Legislation and Judiciary Committee.

*If you experience difficulties due to illegal filming or distribution of photos or videos, threats using such materials, or sexual harassment in cyberspace, you can receive support from the Women's Emergency Hotline 1366 or the Digital Sexual Crime Victim Support Center (02-735-8994).

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