Trial of Doctor's Room Takes New Turn with Additional Charges of Organizing a Criminal Group

[Asia Economy Reporter Seongpil Cho] The trial related to the Telegram Doctor's Room, which involved the distribution of sexual exploitation materials, is starting anew.

This follows the prosecution's additional indictment of Doctor's Room operator Jo Joo-bin (24, detained and indicted) and seven accomplices on charges including organizing a criminal group.

The Seoul Central District Court Criminal Division 31 (Presiding Judge Lee Hyun-woo) will hold a continuation hearing on the morning of the 23rd for former Geoje City Hall official Cheon Mo (29).

Originally, the court planned to conclude the arguments and proceed to sentencing on this day.

However, with the prosecution filing a motion to amend the indictment the day before and additionally indicting Cheon on charges including organizing a criminal group, the likelihood of continuation has increased.

If the court decides to consolidate the cases, Cheon will face trial again alongside Jo and other accomplices.

The trial of another accomplice, Han Mo (27), who is scheduled for sentencing on the 25th, is also expected to discuss the necessity of consolidation.

Han is one of the eight Doctor's Room members whom the prosecution has additionally indicted on charges including organizing a criminal group.

The Seoul Central District Court Criminal Division 30 (Presiding Judge Cho Seong-pil), which is handling Han's case, had intended to complete all hearings after the second session last month, but postponed sentencing after the prosecution indicated its intention to file additional charges and requested one more hearing date.

The prosecution is expected to argue for the necessity of consolidating the additional indictment cases instead of making a sentencing recommendation on this day.

The trials of Jo, 'Taepyeongyang' Lee Mo (16), social service worker Kang Mo (24), and 'Buddha' Kang Hoon (19), who are currently undergoing witness examination procedures, are also expected to proceed toward consolidation.

These cases have been heard separately by Criminal Divisions 30 and 31, but if consolidated, they will be brought together under one court division.

With the additional indictments, intense courtroom battles between the prosecution and defense are anticipated.

So far, defense attorneys have acknowledged all or most of the charges during the trial process.

The rapid progress of related trials, such as those of Cheon and Han entering their final stages, is due to this reason.

However, since the defense has firmly denied the charges related to organizing a criminal group from the investigation stage, they are expected to present more active defense arguments in court.

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