Investigation into 'n번방·Baksa Bang' Nears End... Trials of Key Operators and Accomplices Also Concluding Soon

Final Stage of Digital Sex Crime Investigation
Police Focus on Arresting Simple Possessors Including 'Baksa Bang' Free Members
Trials of Key Operators and Accomplices Also Nearing Conclusion

[Asia Economy Reporter Song Seung-yoon] The police investigation into digital sex crimes, including the socially condemned 'Telegram Nth Room' and 'Doctor's Room' cases, has virtually entered its final stage. Following investigations into the operators, accomplices, and paid members, the police are now targeting simple possessors and conducting all-out investigations.

The Cyber Safety Division of the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency conducted a search and seizure on the 22nd targeting about 10 individuals living in Seoul among 305 people identified as free members of the Doctor's Room. These individuals are presumed to have entered so-called 'sample rooms' established for promotional purposes, although they did not pay to enter. The police have instructed local police agencies nationwide to identify and book free members residing outside Seoul as well.

As of the 3rd of last month, the Digital Sex Crime Special Investigation Headquarters of the National Police Agency uncovered 1,549 digital sex crime cases and arrested 1,993 people. Among them, 185 were detained.

Among those arrested, 291 were individuals who targeted children and adolescents, produced sexually exploitative materials through threats or coercion, or operated chat rooms distributing such materials. There were 306 distributors and 947 simple possessors. Regarding other digital sex crimes such as deepfakes and illegal recordings excluding sexually exploitative materials, 65 producers and operators and 340 distributors were caught. Among those involved in these digital sex crimes, 149 were public officials.

Jo Joo-bin, the main perpetrator of the Nth Room case involving the production and sale of illegal sexual exploitation videos on Telegram, is heading to a transport vehicle on the morning of the 25th at Jongno Police Station in Seoul to be transferred to the prosecution. Photo by Moon Honam munonam@

The police have set the investigation into the production and distribution of sexually exploitative materials as their top priority for the second half of this year and plan to continue related investigations until the end of the year.

Trials for major operators and accomplices of Telegram sex exploitation chat rooms such as the Nth Room and Doctor's Room are also nearing completion. At the sentencing hearing held on the 12th of this month at the Andong Branch of the Daegu District Court, the prosecution requested the maximum sentence of life imprisonment for Moon Hyung-wook (24), the first creator of the Nth Room. The sentencing hearing is scheduled for the 19th of next month. Previously, the prosecution requested a 20-year prison sentence for Moon's accomplice Ahn Seung-jin (25).

Jo Joo-bin (24), the operator of the Doctor's Room, was also sentenced to life imprisonment at the sentencing hearing held on the 22nd at the Seoul Central District Court. The prosecution also requested the court to impose a 45-year order for electronic monitoring (electronic anklet). For four adult accomplices, including former Geoje City Hall official Cheon Mo (29), who were indicted together, the prosecution requested prison sentences ranging from 10 to 15 years. For the minor 'Taepyeongyang' Lee Mo (16), the prosecution requested a long-term sentence of 10 years and a short-term sentence of 5 years. Additionally, the prosecution requested that these individuals be sentenced to sexual violence treatment programs, child abuse treatment programs, employment restrictions at child and youth-related institutions and welfare facilities for the disabled, and electronic monitoring orders. The sentencing hearing for this case is scheduled for the 26th of next month.

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