Police Arrest Key Operator of Sexual Exploitation Nth Room Known as 'Baksa'

Court: "There is a risk of evidence destruction and flight"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Seongpil Cho] A man in his 20s suspected of threatening minors and others to film sexual exploitation materials and distributing them on the mobile messenger Telegram was arrested by the police on the 19th.

Won Jeong-sook, the chief judge in charge of warrants at the Seoul Central District Court, conducted a pre-arrest suspect interrogation (warrant review) for Cho, who is accused of violating the Act on the Protection of Children and Juveniles Against Sexual Abuse (production and distribution of obscene materials, etc.), and issued an arrest warrant, stating, "A substantial part of the criminal charges has been substantiated, and there is a risk of evidence destruction and flight."

Chief Judge Won added, "The case is serious as it inflicted extreme pain on dozens of female victims, including minors, and also promoted a distorted sexual culture in our society."

She further stated, "There is concern for harm to the victims, such as notifying them of threats using illegally obtained personal information."

With Cho’s arrest, the number of people detained in connection with the digital sex crime case known as the 'Nth Room' on Telegram has increased to five.

Until now, the police have apprehended 14 suspects involved in this case, including Cho, and arrest warrants have been issued for four of them.

Earlier, the Cyber Safety Division of the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency applied for an arrest warrant for Cho on the 18th.

According to the police, Cho is suspected of operating a paid obscene channel called 'Baksa-bang' (Doctor’s Room) on Telegram.

It is reported that numerous sexual exploitation videos and photos targeting several women, including minors, were posted in this group chat room.

Police investigations revealed that Cho threatened women to film sexual exploitation videos and collected entrance fees to the room in cryptocurrency and other forms.

When Cho arrived at the Seoul Central District Court building in Seocho-dong, Seoul, around 2 p.m. on the day to attend the warrant review, he firmly closed his mouth in response to reporters’ questions.

When asked by reporters, "Do you admit to the charges?" he did not respond and entered the courtroom.

Meanwhile, the police are reviewing whether to disclose Cho’s personal information.

The day before, a post demanding the disclosure of Cho’s identity was uploaded on the Blue House National Petition Board, stating, "Put the perpetrator who drove young students into hell on the photo line." The petition surpassed 100,000 participants within a day.