Jojubin of 'Baksa Room' Sentenced to 42 Years in Second Trial... 3 Years Less Than First Trial

Telegram Doctor's Room Operator Jo Joo-bin / Photo by Moon Ho-nam munonam@

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Daehyun] Jo Joobin (26), who was indicted for producing child and adolescent sexual exploitation videos and distributing them on the Telegram "Baksa Room," was sentenced to 42 years in prison in the second trial. The two first trials, which sentenced Jo to 40 years and 5 years respectively for different charges, were merged in the second trial, resulting in a total sentence reduced by 3 years. During the announcement of the verdict, sighs were heard from the gallery.

The Seoul High Court Criminal Division 9 (Chief Judge Moon Gwangseop) held the appellate trial sentencing hearing at 2 p.m. on the 1st for Jo, who was charged with violating the Act on the Protection of Children and Juveniles from Sexual Abuse, organizing a criminal group, and concealing criminal proceeds, and delivered this sentence. At the sentencing hearing on the 4th of last month, the prosecution requested the court to sentence Jo to life imprisonment.

The court stated, "The defendant organized an unprecedented sexual exploitation crime group, producing numerous perpetrators and creating a structure where the victims' harm inevitably accumulates, which calls for severe punishment and exemplary sentencing," but added, "However, the defendant is a first-time offender with no prior record, and some victims reached settlements through the efforts of the defendant’s father up to this appeal, which are somewhat favorable circumstances." The court also noted, "Since the cases were merged from the first trial to the second trial and a single sentence must be imposed," and "considered various circumstances including the defendant’s age, environment, means, and outcomes."

Previously, Jo was tried for threatening dozens of victims, including minors, over about 10 months from May 2019, filming sexual exploitation videos, and selling and distributing them on the Telegram Baksa Room, as well as for organizing and operating a criminal organization. Subsequently, he was additionally indicted for concealing criminal proceeds and faced a separate trial.

In the two first trials, Jo was sentenced to 40 years and 5 years respectively, totaling 45 years, but the sentence was somewhat reduced in the appellate trial due to the merged hearing. Also, as in the first trial, the efforts of Jo’s father and the settlements reached with some victims during the second trial were major factors considered in sentencing.

However, the court did not accept Jo’s claim of innocence regarding the charge of organizing a criminal group. It focused more on the prosecution’s argument that "even if the dates are not specified, if the defendant actively participated at specific points in a continuous process contributing to the concretization of the organization, the charge of organizing a criminal group can be applied." The prosecution has emphasized that Jo and 13 accomplices, who created a system in the Baksa Room where members were assigned points and those with over 10,000 points gathered separately, should be regarded as organizing and participating in a criminal group.

On the same day, five accomplices who had been tried with Jo since the first trial, including former public official Cheon Mo, were sentenced to prison terms ranging from 5 to 13 years. Cheon and public service worker Kang Mo also had their sentences reduced from 15 years to 13 years and from 13 years and 2 months to 13 years, respectively, due to the merged hearing. Im Mo and Jang Mo were sentenced to 8 years and 7 years respectively, the same as in the first trial. The minor "Taepyeongyang" Lee Mo also maintained a long-term sentence of 10 years and a short-term sentence of 5 years.

Meanwhile, after the appellate trial, Jo’s side released a handwritten letter of remorse stating, "I am deeply ashamed of the endlessly despicable past hidden behind the mask of 'Baksa.' I am grateful, though it hurts, to those who suffered and stood with me and rebuked this twisted sinner," and "I am indebted to everyone."

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