Police Drastically Improve Investigation Environment for Women and Youth, Including 'Digital Sex Crimes'

Creating a 'Victim-Centered Investigation Environment'
Rest, Counseling, and Investigation All at Once
Step-by-Step Establishment of 35 Offices Annually Until 2023

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Gwan-joo] Amid strong public outrage over digital sex crimes such as the Telegram 'n-bang' case, the police are undertaking a major overhaul of investigation facilities to ensure that victims can be interviewed in a stable environment.

According to the National Police Agency on the 20th, the police will carry out the "Women and Youth Investigation Human Rights-Friendly Environment Improvement Project" this year, investing over 1.8 billion won in the budget. Through this project, the police plan to separate the routes of perpetrators and victims in women and youth cases at 35 police stations nationwide and establish an "Integrated Support Space" where victims can rest, receive counseling, and be interviewed all in one separate area.

The police completed improvement projects at a total of 46 stations over three years from 2017 to last year. Especially this year, as eradicating digital sex crimes has emerged as the police's top priority, the scope of the improvement project appears to have been significantly expanded. At a field meeting held in February between the National Police Agency and women's organizations, the need to establish an investigation environment that protects victims was also raised. The police plan to gradually improve the investigation environment at about 35 stations annually through 2023.

Additionally, the police will concurrently carry out a project to improve women and youth statement recording rooms with a budget of 269 million won. These recording rooms provide victims with a stable investigation environment and are designed so that if perpetrators later retract their statements, the recorded audio and video can be admitted as evidence in court. Jo Joo-bin (24), the operator of the Telegram 'Doctor's Room,' was also investigated in a recording room. The police plan to newly install recording rooms at three police stations, including Yangcheon Police Station in Seoul, where the number of rooms is insufficient compared to demand, and remodel seven police stations with outdated facilities.

As digital sex crime investigations expand to include paid members of the Telegram n-bang and other participants, related investigations are expected to increase further. The police plan to complete construction and work by August and begin full operation, while also conducting on-site inspections for follow-up management such as addressing issues. A police official said, "We will create a 'victim-centered investigation environment' so that victims can give statements in a psychologically comfortable state."

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