'First Application to Criminal Organization' Two Paid Members of Baksa Room Referred to Prosecution

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Song Seung-yoon] Two paid members of the Telegram 'Baksa Room,' related to the Telegram Nth Room case and the first to be charged with joining a criminal organization, were sent to the prosecution on the 3rd.

The Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency's Special Investigation Unit for Digital Sex Crimes handed over Im Mo and Jang Mo, who were arrested on charges of violating the Act on the Protection of Children and Juveniles from Sexual Abuse (distribution of child sexual exploitation materials, etc.) and joining a criminal organization, to the prosecution with a recommendation for indictment.

They came out of the Jongno Police Station detention center in Seoul around 7:56 a.m., covering their faces with hats and masks. They did not respond to questions such as "Do you admit to joining a criminal organization?", "Did you receive instructions from Jo Joo-bin?", or "Do you have anything to say to the victims?"

The police applied the charge of joining a criminal organization, stating that on the 20th of last month, they joined the Baksa Room despite being aware that it was a criminal organization, and requested arrest warrants. It was judged that, unlike other paid members, there was evidence that they participated more actively in the crimes. The Seoul Central District Court issued the arrest warrants on the 25th of the same month, stating that "the main criminal charges are substantiated."

The crime of joining a criminal organization has the same legal provisions as the crime of organizing a criminal organization under the Criminal Act. The prosecution has been reviewing whether the charge of organizing a criminal organization can be applied, considering that Baksa Room operator Jo Joo-bin committed crimes as an organic collective by dividing roles with several accomplices. If the charge of organizing a criminal organization is recognized, Jo and his accomplices could face a maximum sentence of life imprisonment.

On the 1st, the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency also applied for an arrest warrant against Nam Mo, a paid member of the Baksa Room and an accomplice of Jo, on charges of joining a criminal organization and violating the Special Act on the Punishment of Sexual Violence Crimes (distribution for profit). This is the second case where the charge of joining a criminal organization has been applied in a case involving the distribution and production of sexual exploitation materials.

Nam is suspected of luring victims and participating in the production of sexual exploitation materials by Jo while acting as a paid member. He is also accused of threatening victims by imitating Jo's crimes. The pre-arrest detention hearing for Nam will be held at 10:30 a.m. today at the Seoul Central District Court, presided over by Judge Kim Dong-hyun, who is in charge of warrants.

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