[Fact Check] Is It Possible to Punish Men Participating in the Devil's Room 'n-bunbang'?

Arrest of Suspect Presumed to Be 'Doctor', Key Figure in 'n번방'
970,000 청와대 Petitions for Suspect's Identity Disclosure
400,000 Petitions for Identity Disclosure of All Male Participants in 'n번방'
Women Demand "Punishment for All Male Participants in Chatrooms"
Legal Experts Say "Male Participants in Chatrooms May Face Charges for Violating Child Protection Laws"

The key suspect A, who created a secret room on Telegram to distribute sexual exploitation materials in the 'Nth Room case,' is seen leaving after completing the pre-trial detention hearing at the Seoul Central District Court in Seocho-gu, Seoul, on the afternoon of the 19th. Photo by Yonhap News.

[Asia Economy Reporter Han Seung-gon] As a man in his 20s, A, presumed to be the key suspect 'Doctor' in the so-called 'Telegram Nth Room' case?where minors and women were threatened to produce sexually exploitative materials and distributed through paid secret Telegram chat rooms?has been arrested, attention is turning to whether the men who participated in the chat rooms will be punished.

Public opinion is growing demanding punishment for those men who, ignoring the severe suffering of the victims, simply paid money to consume sexually exploitative materials. Women's groups have also called for strong punishment, labeling the men who joined the chat rooms as 'devils.'

A petition on the Blue House National Petition Board demanding the disclosure of the identities of all chat room participants surpassed 400,000 supporters within a day. The legal community sees that they could be punished under charges such as aiding and abetting under the Act on the Protection of Children and Juveniles Against Sexual Abuse (Child and Youth Sexual Protection Act).

A legal official stated, "If a man knowingly paid to enter the so-called 'Nth Room' where sexually exploitative materials were present, it can be interpreted that he had at least indirect intent to possess or participate in the distribution of such materials." He added, "Depending on the level of activity in the paid chat room, there is a possibility of being punished as an accomplice or for aiding and abetting under various provisions of Article 11 of the Child and Youth Sexual Protection Act."

Experts also believe that what kind of activities one engaged in within the 'Nth Room' can be an important criterion for the severity of punishment.

Professor Lee Soo-jung, a criminal psychology professor at Kyonggi University, explained in an interview with YTN, "Obviously, if someone downloaded and possessed the materials, possession charges apply. In severe cases, imprisonment for up to one year is possible. If they distributed the materials, imprisonment for up to five years could be imposed. Therefore, the charges will be determined based on what actions were taken?whether someone just briefly entered and left in shock or actively participated inside."

According to Article 11 of the Child and Youth Sexual Protection Act, △ those who distribute, provide, publicly display, or screen child and youth pornography face imprisonment of up to seven years or a fine of up to 50 million won, △ those who mediate the production of such materials face imprisonment of three years or more, and △ those who possess such materials face imprisonment of up to one year or a fine of up to 20 million won.

Photo by Cheong Wa Dae National Petition Board

◆ "Disclose the identities of all Nth Room members" Blue House petition reaches 430,000

As public calls for punishment of 'Nth Room' participants grow, a petition titled "We want the disclosure of the identities of all Telegram Nth Room members" posted on the Blue House National Petition Board reached the 200,000 signature threshold for an official response within a day.

The petitioner said, "It is fortunate that investigations into the Nth Room are underway and some suspects have been arrested," but added, "However, this crime will inevitably recur in South Korea," urging stronger punishment.

They continued, "Punishing only the administrators and suppliers is useless," emphasizing, "This type of crime has demand, and unless the purchasers are punished, it will definitely recur." They criticized, "In the U.S., possession of child pornography alone is punishable. I want to ask how it is in our country?it's a shameful reality."

They also stated, "Even when children are sexually assaulted and attempted murder occurs, the maximum sentence is only 12 years, and severe sentences are just three or five years," adding, "There are sentence reductions for drinking or first offenses. Is South Korea truly a country determined to eradicate child sex crimes?"

The petitioner pointed out, "All members who were in the Nth Room are sex offenders," and said, "(The members) not only watched the brutal sexual crimes against young girls but also got excited and sympathized with such criminal content." They labeled them as "not potential sex offenders but just sex offenders."

They further appealed, "Girls in this land, including my daughter, have to live mixed with those Nth Room members. It's chilling but there is no way. So if you won't punish them, at least disclose their identities." As of 12:12 PM on the 21st, this petition had 431,050 supporters.

Photo by Cheongwadae National Petition Board

◆ "Disclose the identities of Nth Room suspects" Blue House petition reaches 970,000

Earlier, a petition demanding strong punishment for Mr. A was also posted on the Blue House National Petition Board. The petition titled "Please disclose the identities of Telegram Nth Room suspects and put them on the photo line" surpassed 200,000 supporters within three days, qualifying for an official response.

The petitioner said, "Put the perpetrator who caused shame to others and drove young students into hell on the photo line. Please do not let them cover their faces with hats or masks."

They added, "There were 250,000 simultaneous connections. They threatened victims to perform sexual acts in front of their families," appealing, "Sound the alarm on the distorted sexual perceptions of South Korean men."

The petitioner continued, "If this is not a devil, then what is? For those who lightly regard others' shame, the word 'human rights' is a luxury. How long will you just watch? It is unreasonable to raise daughters in such a country." As of 12:38 PM on the 21st, this petition had 972,361 supporters.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

◆ Women's groups: "All of you who entered that room are murderers" demand strong punishment

Women's groups are also holding rallies demanding punishment for 'Nth Room' participants. On the 11th of next month, a "Protest demanding strong punishment for Nth Room sexual exploitation" will be held in front of the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul.

On that day, women plan to shout the slogan "All of you who entered that room are murderers," demanding the punishment of all men who participated in the chat rooms.

It is estimated that about 260,000 men shared and viewed sexually exploitative materials in the Telegram secret rooms. Women pointed out that not only the core perpetrators who produced and distributed the materials but also the buyers and bystanders are all accomplices.

A man in his 20s, identified as Mr. A, who was arrested on charges of threatening minors and others to produce sexual exploitation 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. The so-called "Baksa Room," a paid obscene channel operated by Mr. A on Telegram, contained numerous sexual exploitation videos and photos targeting minors and several women.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

◆ Court: "Threatening and coercing women including children and adolescents... causing victims extreme suffering"

Mr. A is understood to have threatened dozens of minors and others to produce sexually exploitative materials and distributed them, earning criminal proceeds worth hundreds of millions of won. He was arrested by the police on the night of the 19th on charges including violation of the Act on the Protection of Children and Juveniles Against Sexual Abuse.

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

Judge Won Jeong-sook, in charge of warrants, stated the reason for issuing the warrant: "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 huge profits, inflicted extreme suffering on the victims, and fostered a distorted sexual culture in our society."

She added, "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 the crime, and there is also concern for evidence destruction and flight risk."