Prosecutors Indict Jo Joo-bin and Associates for Organized Crime Charges "Organizational and Organic Connection"

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[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Hyung-min] The prosecution has additionally indicted Jo Joo-bin (24, detained and indicted), who operated the Telegram chatroom 'Baksa-bang' and was accused of producing and distributing sexually exploitative materials, along with his accomplices, on charges of 'organizing a criminal group.'

The Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office Digital Sex Crime Special Investigation Task Force (led by Chief Prosecutor Yoo Hyun-jung) announced on the 22nd that they have indicted Jo Joo-bin, Kang Hoon, and eight key members of the organization on charges of organizing, joining, and participating in a criminal group.

The prosecution explained, "The 'Baksa-bang organization' was revealed to be a criminal group centered around Jo Joo-bin, with a total of 38 members organically dividing roles and producing and distributing a vast amount of sexually exploitative materials targeting 74 victims, both minors and adults." They also stated that individual crimes such as producing and distributing sexually exploitative materials and fraud were included in the indictment.

The prosecution stated that among the 38 members, eight who effectively played leadership roles were selected and prioritized for trial.

Additionally, to recover the criminal proceeds earned by this organization, the prosecution obtained seizure and confiscation preservation orders on 130 million won in cash and 15 electronic wallets containing virtual currencies.

The prosecution found that Jo Joo-bin and others systematically produced and distributed sexually exploitative materials through mutual economic incentives such as providing sponsorship funds and profit sharing.

Furthermore, the structure of the crimes was such that Jo Joo-bin alone or a small number of individuals could not have performed all roles; instead, 38 members were bound in an "organic connection" centered around Jo Joo-bin.

They also cited that the crimes were not short-term or temporary but were committed over a long period of about six months from September 2019 until Jo Joo-bin's arrest on March 16, which supports viewing them as a criminal group.

According to the prosecution, Jo Joo-bin's group strengthened cohesion by requiring ID photo verification and certain promotional activities as conditions for joining the main chatroom 'Citizen Room,' where members mainly operated, and by imposing retaliatory measures such as public exposure of personal information upon withdrawal.

Investigations also revealed various internal rules, including bans on lurking, going inactive, and participating in hostile group chats.

When 'Buddha' Kang Hoon was arrested, Jo Joo-bin created a group chat called 'Bidae-wi' and discussed investigation response strategies and lawyer appointments with members.

Moreover, to evade police and media pursuit, Jo Joo-bin's group sequentially operated over 52 Baksa-bang chatrooms, while continuously maintaining the 'Citizen Room' as the central hub of the sexual exploitation organization. The prosecution also noted that online participating members were given incentives such as offline meetings with victims, and members responsible for managing profits were provided monetary compensation under the name of a service fee.

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