'Telegram N-bunbang Suspect Identity Disclosure and Photo Line Setup' Cheong National Petition Surpasses 200,000
On the 19th, Key Suspect Jo in the 'N-bunbang' Case Undergoes Warrant Review
Request to Disclose Personal Information of Telegram Nth Room Suspect on Blue House National Petition Website/Photo by Blue House National Petition Website
[Asia Economy Intern Reporter Kim Seul-gi] A man in his 20s, identified as Mr. A, who is strongly suspected to be the key suspect known as "Doctor" in the so-called "n번방 (Nth Room)" case?where minors and others were threatened to produce sexual exploitation materials and then distributed through secret Telegram chat rooms?was arrested on the 19th. A petition on the Blue House website demanding severe punishment for Mr. A surpassed 200,000 signatures within just three days of posting.
On the 18th, a petition titled "Please disclose the identity of the Telegram n번방 suspect and bring him to the photo line" was posted on the Blue House National Petition Board. As of 7 a.m. on the 20th, the petition had received 211,183 signatures.
The petitioner stated, "It is said that the perpetrator was arrested today. Please bring the perpetrator, who drove others into shame and young students into hell, to the photo line," and urged, "Do not let him cover his face with a hat or mask under any circumstances."
He appealed, "Sound the alarm against the distorted sexual mindset of South Korean men, who pay as much as 1.5 million won to watch 250,000 simultaneous viewers inserting larvae into the bodies of young students."
He added, "Threatening victims to perform sexual acts in front of their families... if this is not a devil, then what is? He must be brought to the photo line with his bare face. The word 'human rights' is a luxury for those who take others' shame lightly," emphasizing the point.
A man in his 20s, Jo, who was arrested on charges of threatening minors and others to produce sexual exploitation materials and distributing them on 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 sexual exploitation videos and photos targeting minors and several women were posted on the so-called "Doctor's Room," a paid obscene channel operated by Jo on Telegram. Photo by Yonhap News
The Seoul Central District Court issued an arrest warrant for Mr. A on the 19th 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 case is serious as the suspect threatened and coerced dozens of women, including children and adolescents, to produce obscene materials, distributed them to gain enormous profits, inflicted severe pain on the victims, and fostered a distorted sexual culture in our society."
She continued, "There is concern for harm to the victims as the suspect used illegally obtained personal information to threaten victims and their families," and explained, "There is substantial evidence of criminal charges, and there is also a risk of evidence destruction and flight."
After the substantive hearing that day, Mr. Jo, who came out of the court, showed extreme sensitivity to revealing his identity by pulling the hood of his jumper over his head with his hands tied in handcuffs.
Meanwhile, the police announced that they are considering disclosing Mr. A's identity.
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