Four Members of Shindaebang Fam Sent to Prosecution on Suspicion of Sexual Exploitation of Minors

Four members of the 'Sindaebang Paem' group, accused of threatening and sexually exploiting minors while active in the online community DC Inside's Depression Gallery, have been handed over to the prosecution.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

On the 14th, the Dongjak Police Station in Seoul announced that Kim, a member of Sindaebang Paem, who is charged with statutory rape of a minor, violation of the Missing Children Act, assault, and coercion, was sent to the prosecution under detention. Three other members, including Park, were sent to the prosecution without detention. Park faces charges of statutory rape of a minor by deception, violation of the Missing Children Act, assault, and coercion. Im and Han are charged with violations of the Missing Children Act and the Youth Protection Act.

They are accused of being members of 'Sindaebang Paem' who, since late 2020, have been active in DC Inside's Depression Gallery, luring runaway youths to their base where they allegedly committed assault, threats, and sexual crimes.

The police applied for arrest warrants for Kim and Park on the 29th of last month, but the court issued an arrest warrant only for Kim, citing concerns over evidence tampering. The court explained the reason for rejecting Park's warrant, stating, "There is room for dispute regarding the statutory rape of a minor among Park's alleged crimes, and it is necessary to guarantee the right to defense."

The Depression Gallery drew attention when a teenage girl, A, live-streamed her suicide attempt by jumping in Gangnam on social media (SNS). In April, the police began an internal investigation into whether the 'Sindaebang Paem' group, a gathering within the Depression Gallery, had any criminal involvement. However, it is reported that no direct connection has been confirmed between A's death and the members of Sindaebang Paem.

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