Kim Nokwan, Leader of Korea's Largest Sexual Exploitation Ring "Jakyungdan," Sentenced to Life Imprisonment Again on Appeal

"Inhumane Crimes"

Kim Nokwan, who referred to himself as a "pastor" and created a criminal organization via Telegram to sexually exploit over 260 people, has been sentenced to life imprisonment again on appeal.

Yonhap News

On April 29, the Seoul High Court Criminal Division 8 (Presiding Judge Kim Seongsoo) sentenced Kim to life imprisonment, the same as in the first trial, on charges including organizing and operating a criminal group, producing and distributing sexual exploitation materials and illegal recordings, coercing the use of illegal recordings, and quasi-rape. The court also ordered 30 years of electronic monitoring, a 10-year employment restriction for institutions related to children, adolescents, and people with disabilities, as well as a 10-year disclosure and notification of personal information.

The court stated, "Despite some accomplices being caught by investigative authorities during the period of the crimes, the organization continued its criminal activities, including threatening new victims. It is estimated that a significant number of the false videos distributed online are still circulating on the internet." The court added, "Such inhumane crimes, which completely disregard the dignity of the victims, require severe punishment. Punishment is also necessary to sound an alarm in society and to prevent copycat crimes."

From August 2020 to January 2025, Kim was indicted and detained on charges including organizing a cyber sexual violence criminal group called "Jakyungdan," sexually assaulting minors and others in sadistic and perverse ways, and producing and distributing sexual exploitation materials.

Jakyungdan would identify the personal information of women who posted body photos or engaged in compensated dating on social networking services, and of men who tried to enter Telegram channels like "porn room" or "acquaintance humiliation room." They would then threaten to expose this information to obtain nude photos and other materials, which were used to produce and distribute sexual exploitation content. They also committed actual sexual assaults.

The number of victims reached 261, more than three times that of the similar "Doctor's Room" Telegram case, which involved 73 victims. It is known that Kim and his organization produced over 2,000 pieces of sexual exploitation material.

Meanwhile, Kang, who was known as the "senior evangelist," recruited and trained members and directed criminal activities, was also sentenced to four years in prison and a five-year employment restriction, the same as in the first trial. Among the nine who were called "evangelists" or "associate evangelists" and were involved in victim selection, Telegram channel operation, production and distribution of sexual exploitation materials, and threatening victims, four were sentenced to prison and five received suspended sentences.

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