"Women Demand 'Full Face Reveal,' Call for Public Disclosure of Buyers of 'n번방' Sexual Exploitation Material"

Women Demand Full Disclosure of Personal Information for All 'n번방' Involved
"Accomplices in Crime Regardless of Viewing or Possession"

On the afternoon of May 17th, near Gangnam Station in Seoul, at the event "From Gangnam Station Exit 10 to the nth Room: Speaking Out Against Sexual Violence," representatives and attendees of the group Angry People at the nth Room are making statements.
Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Ga-yeon] As the police decided for the first time to disclose the identity of a man in his 30s who purchased child and adolescent sexual exploitation materials on Telegram's 'n번방' (Nth Room), voices from women demanding the disclosure of all identities of those who watched or purchased such materials are growing louder. Due to the nature of crimes committed through Telegram, purchasing is also considered participation in sexual violence.

On the 2nd, the Gangwon Provincial Police Agency announced that it would disclose the personal information, including the name, age, and face, of Mr. A (38), who was arrested for violating the Act on the Protection of Children and Juveniles from Sexual Abuse (Youth Sexual Protection Act). Mr. A is suspected of purchasing sexual exploitation materials from Shin Mo (32), known as 'Kelly,' who operated the n번방 following Moon Hyung-wook (24), known as 'GodGod.' Additionally, Mr. A is accused of illegally filming adults and producing sexual exploitation materials involving eight children and adolescents, as well as committing sexual crimes from September 2014 to last March.

This is the first time the police have decided to disclose the identity of a purchaser of sexual exploitation materials. The Gangwon Police Agency explained that on the previous day (the 1st), a committee composed of three police officers and four external members held a meeting to decide on the disclosure, considering factors such as the method of the crime, the extent of the damage, the public's right to know, and the potential secondary harm to the suspect's family caused by the disclosure.

However, since Mr. A filed a provisional injunction for suspension of execution with the Chuncheon District Court regarding the disclosure decision, the final decision on whether to disclose will be made according to the court's judgment. If the court accepts the injunction, disclosure will not be possible. If the court dismisses it, the police will disclose Mr. A's name and reveal his face around 4:30 p.m. on the 3rd when he is transferred from the Chuncheon Police Station to the Chuncheon District Prosecutor's Office.

On March 25, as the vehicle carrying Jo Joo-bin, the operator of the 'Baksa Room' accused of producing and distributing sexual exploitation materials of women including minors on the internet messenger Telegram, left the Jongno Police Station in Seoul and headed to the prosecution detention center, citizens held a picket protest demanding severe punishment for Jo Joo-bin. Photo by Yonhap News

Women are urging the disclosure of the identities of all purchasers, stating that "everyone who entered the n번방 is a sex offender." This is because it is not easy to enter Telegram chat rooms where sexual exploitation materials are illegally shared, and the purchasing behavior causes the spread and reproduction of victim videos.

It is known that to enter the 'n번방' and its derivative chat rooms, one must find or receive a link to a specific chat room and then pay virtual currency to the administrators, going through a complicated process. This indicates that entry was intentional, with full awareness that sexual exploitation materials existed, rather than accidental entry.

Previously, a petition titled "We want the disclosure of the identities of all Telegram n번방 members" was posted on the Blue House National Petition Board, gaining over 2 million supporters.

A 30-year-old office worker, Mr. A, said, "The procedures before entering the n번방 are very complicated, and since people consumed the materials knowing they were sexual exploitation materials, it is clearly a criminal act," adding, "Countless exploitation materials were consumed and reproduced, producing more victims. Each purchaser should be considered involved in more than one sexual crime and their identity disclosed."

University student Ms. B (21) also said, "Disclosing the identities of criminals aligns with the public interest," and added, "Victims are probably still being created somewhere, and delaying disclosure only instills the perception that 'committing sexual crimes is acceptable.'"

She continued, "Only a few perpetrators have had their identities disclosed over several months. How long will it take to disclose all of them one by one? Disclose all perpetrators' identities at once," she urged.

On March 25, as the vehicle carrying Jo Joo-bin, the operator of the 'Baksa Room' accused of producing and distributing sexual exploitation materials of women including minors on the internet messenger Telegram, left the Jongno Police Station in Seoul and headed to the prosecution detention center, citizens held a picket protest demanding severe punishment for Jo Joo-bin. Photo by Yonhap News

Voices calling for the disclosure of n번방 members' identities have also emerged in the political sphere.

Former Democratic Party lawmaker Pyo Chang-won said in an interview on CBS Radio's 'Kim Hyun-jung's News Show' in March, "The membership process is complicated. Moreover, virtual currency must be used, and given such processes and procedures, I think they can be considered accomplices to the overall crime, regardless of whether they watched or possessed the materials."

Former lawmaker Pyo added, "I believe disclosure of identities should be done," explaining, "According to the definition of sexual violence crimes, there are legal provisions (Article 25 of the Special Act on Sexual Violence) covering sexual intercourse or sexual assault against children or minors, including those committed through abuse of authority. The n번방 case clearly involves such aspects. I think disclosure is possible."

Minister of Justice Choo Mi-ae also stated on KBS Radio's 'Kim Kyung-rae's Strong Current Affairs' in April, "Under the current Special Act on the Punishment of Sexual Crimes, disclosure of identities is possible when necessary for the public interest," and added, "We will disclose the identities of those heavily involved."

Minister Choo said, "I declare that the harshest and strongest sentences will be sought," and emphasized, "I urge them to surrender quickly, reflect on their crimes, and cooperate in eradicating these crimes."

Experts emphasize the need for social discussions, including legal amendments, to support sexual crime victims.

Kim Yeo-jin, Director of Victim Support at the Korea Cyber Sexual Violence Response Center, said in a phone interview with Asia Economy on the 3rd, "Women demanding disclosure of identities might not have done so if they believed our judicial system could appropriately and adequately punish accomplices," adding, "Because our judicial system has not done so until now, the perception has shifted to 'only by revealing who individuals are can social punishment be possible' or 'we can identify who the accomplices are.'"

She continued, "Rather than debating whether disclosure should or should not be done, I think we need to examine how to punish accomplices going forward and how it has been handled so far," she emphasized.

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