[Summary] "If this isn't a demon, then what is?" Strong punishment demanded for n-room 'Doctor'

Production of Threatening Obscene Materials Targeting Women Including Children and Adolescents in Telegram Group Chats
Men Paid to Join Chats
"Severe Punishment Needed" Cheongwadae Petition Surpasses 200,000 in 3 Days

A man in his 20s, identified as Mr. A, who was arrested on charges of threatening minors and others to produce sexually exploitative materials and distributing them via the mobile messenger Telegram, is seen leaving the courtroom after a warrant hearing at the Seoul Central District Court in Seocho-dong, Seoul, on the afternoon of the 19th.
Numerous sexually exploitative videos and photos targeting minors and several women were posted on the so-called "Baksa Bang," a paid obscene channel operated by Mr. A on Telegram.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Han Seung-gon] There is growing public demand for the harsh punishment of a man in his 20s, identified as suspect A, who is strongly suspected to be the so-called 'Doctor,' a key figure in the 'Nth Room case' involving the sharing of sexually exploitative videos of minors via the messenger app Telegram. A petition on the Blue House website calling for severe punishment of A, who is accused of operating the Nth Room, surpassed 200,000 signatures within just three days, qualifying for an official response from the Blue House. The court issued an arrest warrant for A, citing the severe suffering inflicted on the victims. The police are considering disclosing A's identity.

On the 19th, the Seoul Central District Court issued an arrest warrant for A on charges of violating the Act on the Protection of Children and Juveniles from Sexual Abuse (production and distribution of obscene materials, etc.).

Judge Won Jeong-sook, who handled the warrant, stated the reason for issuing the warrant: "The case is serious as A threatened and coerced dozens of women, including children and adolescents, to produce obscene materials and distributed them for enormous profits, causing extreme suffering to the victims and promoting a distorted sexual culture in our society."

She added, "There is concern for harm to the victims as A used illegally obtained personal information to threaten victims and their families. There is substantial evidence of the crime, and there is also a risk of evidence destruction and flight."

A, who used the nickname 'Doctor' and was active in Telegram group chats, is accused of operating an illegal sexual exploitation distribution channel called the 'Doctor's Room' for money.

According to the police, the group chat contained numerous sexually exploitative videos and photos targeting several women, including minors. The police believe A collected entrance fees to the room using cryptocurrency and other means.

As confirmed in the warrant issuance reasons, A coerced and threatened dozens of women, including children and adolescents, to produce obscene materials and distributed them, causing extreme suffering to the victims.

Consequently, the administrators of the portal site cafe and SNS accounts for the 'Nth Room Sexual Exploitation Strong Punishment Protest' held a press conference near the Seoul Central District Court, where A's detention hearing took place, demanding the disclosure of A's identity and strict punishment.

Photo by Cheongwadae National Petition Board

A petition calling for the harsh punishment of A was also posted on the Blue House National Petition Board. On the 18th, a petition titled "Please disclose the identity of the Telegram Nth Room suspect and put him on the photo line" was posted.

The petitioner stated, "Please put the perpetrator who caused shame to others and drove young students into hell on the photo line. Do not let him cover his face with a hat or mask under any circumstances."

They continued, "There are 250,000 concurrent viewers. He threatened the victims and forced them to perform sexual acts in front of their families," and appealed, "Please sound the alarm on the distorted sexual perceptions of Korean men."

The petitioner further argued, "If this is not a demon, then what is? The word 'human rights' is a luxury for those who lightly disregard others' shame. How long will we just watch? It is unreasonable to raise daughters in such a country." As of 7 a.m. on the 20th, just three days after the petition was posted, 208,716 people had agreed.

As criticism grows over the violation of women's human rights, public calls for revealing A's face are increasing. The police are currently reviewing whether to disclose A's identity.

According to Article 8, Paragraph 2 of the Act on Special Cases Concerning the Punishment of Specific Violent Crimes, the disclosure of a suspect's face is permitted only if: ▲ the crime method was brutal and caused serious harm in a specific violent crime case, ▲ there is sufficient evidence to believe the suspect committed the crime, ▲ the disclosure is necessary for public interest such as guaranteeing the public's right to know, preventing recidivism, and crime prevention, and ▲ the suspect is 19 years or older.

The decision to disclose personal information is made by the Personal Information Disclosure Committee established at each regional police agency. The committee consists of seven members: four external members including psychiatrists, lawyers, and professors, and three internal police members.

Notorious criminals whose identities were disclosed include Byun Kyung-seok, who killed a customer after an argument and abandoned the body near Seoul Grand Park in Gwacheon, Gyeonggi Province in August 2018, and Kim Seong-gwan, who killed his mother’s family and fled to New Zealand but was extradited back to Korea in January of the same year.

In 2017, the identities of Lee Young-hak, known as the 'Tooth Father,' who kidnapped, murdered, and abandoned his middle school daughter, and Shim Cheon-woo, who kidnapped and strangled a woman in her 40s in a golf practice range parking lot, were also disclosed.