"Need reference for drawing..." 20s sentenced for requesting 'body photos' from teenagers

Men in their 20s who approached minors through online grooming tactics and coerced them into sending sexually exploitative materials have been sentenced to prison. Photo by Yonhap News Agency

[Asia Economy Reporter Nana] Men in their 20s who approached minors using the online grooming method, a form of digital sexual crime, then sent obscene messages and coerced them into sending body photos have been consecutively sentenced to prison.

On the 13th, Chuncheon District Court announced that it sentenced A (24), who was indicted on charges including the Act on the Protection of Children and Juveniles Against Sexual Abuse (production and distribution of sexual exploitation materials), to five years in prison.

In August, A got to know the victimized youth through a smartphone messenger and gained their favor by exchanging conversations about animation as a topic.

About ten days later, A asked the victim for body photos, saying, "I need materials to draw pictures." After receiving the photos, A sent dozens of obscene messages that could cause sexual shame to the victim.

The court stated, "Considering that the victim's values regarding sex are not yet mature and they lack the ability to protect themselves, and that the crime was committed by exploiting this, as well as the fact that the victim is expected to suffer very negative effects in forming a healthy sexual identity and values in the future, a prison sentence was imposed."

The court also sentenced B (21), who was charged with producing obscene materials and sexual abuse, to four years in prison.

B was prosecuted for approaching the victimized youth through an internet chat app in December last year and making them send body photos five times.

The court imposed prison sentences on both A and B, along with 40 hours of completion of a sexual violence treatment program and security measures restricting employment at child and youth-related institutions for ten years.

The court explained the sentencing rationale, saying, "There is a great social need to eradicate increasingly cunning and persistent sexual crimes against children and adolescents and to protect them thoroughly. The sentence was determined considering that the victim's parents reached an agreement with the defendants and do not wish for punishment."

Meanwhile, the online grooming method used by them in sexual crimes involves approaching youths in a friendly manner using smartphone messengers, internet chat apps, etc., gaining their favor, and then committing sexual crimes. This method is becoming increasingly sophisticated.

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