'Gatgat' Moon Hyung-wook Also Transferred... Remaining Challenges for Police in Investigating 'Digital Sex Crimes'

Co-conspirator Boys Including Kotae, Banji, and Samagwi
Investigation Focuses on Paid Members and Other Participants Identified

Moon Hyung-wook (24, university student), known as "GodGod," the operator of the Telegram chat room "n-bunbang," which shared sexual exploitation materials, is answering reporters' questions as he leaves Andong Police Station in Andong, Gyeongbuk, on the afternoon of the 18th before being transferred to the prosecution.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Gwan-ju] With the transfer of Moon Hyeong-uk (24, in custody), the first Telegram 'n번방' creator known as 'GodGod', who was considered the pinnacle of digital sex crime investigations, to the prosecution, future police investigations are expected to focus on identifying the remaining n번방 accomplices and paid members who have not yet been caught.

The Cyber Safety Division of the Gyeongbuk Provincial Police Agency sent Moon to the prosecution on the 18th under nine charges, including violation of the Act on the Protection of Children and Juveniles from Sexual Abuse. With this, all major operators of the n번방 case, including 'Doctor' Jo Joo-bin (24), 'Loli Captain Taebeom' Bae (19), 'Watchman' Jeon (38), and 'Kelly' Shin (32), have been either apprehended and sent to the prosecution or brought to trial.

Moon's arrest became an opportunity to clearly identify the operational realities of n번방 and the methods of digital sex crimes conducted via Telegram. It was confirmed that victims were scouted through social network service (SNS) spaces known as 'deviant groups', coerced into producing sexually exploitative materials, which were then distributed through about ten n번방 channels. Furthermore, it was revealed that after recruiting accomplices, Moon ordered them to sexually assault victims to produce exploitative content.

The police's attention now turns to accomplices and n번방 participants. The accomplice nicknames 'Banji' and 'Kotae' from the n번방 operated by Moon have not yet been apprehended. They are known to have acted as Moon's lieutenants, directly committing sexual assaults, producing exploitative materials, or erasing Moon's digital traces. The nickname 'Samagwi', identified as a major accomplice in the Doctor's room, remains elusive. A police official stated, "We are continuing to track accomplices such as Kotae."

Investigations into paid members and participants of n번방 also continue. It is estimated that about 15,000 people joined the Doctor's room based on nickname analysis. The police believe there is overlap between these and n번방 participants and are compiling an accurate list of participants. The police are hopeful after recently unlocking Jo Joo-bin's Galaxy S9 phone through digital forensics. However, investigations into paid members are generally slow. A police official explained, "The effort and time required to track one participant is the same as tracking one operator," adding, "Because there are many participants, it inevitably takes time."

Nevertheless, the police reiterated their commitment to investigating all n번방 case participants, even if it takes time. National Police Chief Min Gap-ryong emphasized, "There are still many issues to investigate, to the extent that it can be said to be 'mountain after mountain'," and added, "We will continue the investigation with the determination to thoroughly eradicate digital sex crimes by uncovering all participants."

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