'Baksa Bang' Jo Joo-bin Second Trial Verdict Today... 45 Years Imprisonment in First Trial

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Daehyun] The second trial sentencing hearing for Jo Joo-bin (26), who was indicted for producing child and adolescent sexual exploitation videos and distributing them on the Telegram "Baksa Bang," and was sentenced to 45 years in prison in the first trial, will be held.

According to the court on the 1st, the Seoul High Court Criminal Division 9 (Chief Judge Moon Gwangseop) will hold the appeal trial sentencing hearing at 2 p.m. on the same day for Jo and five accomplices, including former public official Cheon Mo, who were indicted for violating the Act on the Protection of Children and Juveniles from Sexual Abuse and organizing a criminal group.

Jo and others were prosecuted for threatening dozens of victims, including minors, for about 10 months from May 2019, filming sexual exploitation videos, and selling and distributing them on the Telegram Baksa Bang. The prosecution later additionally indicted Jo and key members on charges of organizing and operating a criminal organization.

At the sentencing hearing on the 4th of last month, the prosecution requested the court to impose life imprisonment on Jo, as in the original trial, calling it an "unprecedented sexual violence group." They also asked for 45 years of electronic monitoring device (electronic anklet) attachment and a fine of about 180 million won. For four adult accomplices including Cheon, the prosecution sought prison terms of 10 to 17 years, and for the minor 'Taepyeongyang' Lee Mo, a long-term sentence of 10 years and a short-term sentence of 5 years were requested.

In his final statement, Jo tearfully said, "Although I am currently recorded as an individual who committed evil deeds, I will envision a future where I am remembered as someone who knew how to repent at the end of life," and earnestly requested, "Please also grant me a realistic time to be reborn as a precedent of reflection."

The previous first trial recognized all charges as guilty except for the parts dismissed due to agreements with the victims and sentenced Jo to 40 years in prison. The accomplices were sentenced to 5 to 15 years in prison. Separately, Jo was sentenced to an additional 5 years in prison in the first trial for hiding criminal proceeds, resulting in a total sentence of 45 years in prison.

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