"Sending photos of stocks and accounts... Trust was gained from the student's perspective"
"Depression and bipolar disorder after the damage"
"More minor victims expected than adults"
SBS '8 News' revealed the personal information of Jo Joo-bin, the key suspect in the 'Telegram Nth Room' case. / Photo by SBS Broadcasting Capture
[Asia Economy Reporter Han Seung-gon, Intern Reporter Lim Joo-hyung] A victim of the so-called 'Baksa Room' case, in which minors and women were threatened, sexually exploited, and sexually exploitative materials were produced and distributed for money via Telegram, revealed in an interview with the media that she had sent over 40 sexual exploitation videos. The victim expressed her suffering, saying that she covered her face completely even in the middle of summer for fear that her face would be exposed.
Victim A, who said she was sexually exploited in the 'Baksa Room' in 2018, explained the situation on the 24th in an interview with 'No Cut News,' saying, "They said, 'We are looking for a sponsor part-timer and will pay about 4 million won a month. If you are interested, please contact us.'" She added, "After talking, they took personal information such as my address and phone number under the pretext of gifting me a cellphone."
She continued, "They sent photos of stocks and money deposits, asking me to trust them," and said, "As a middle school student, I trusted them," explaining that she had no choice but to be exploited.
She also lamented, "Since they already had my face, voice, and personal information, I was afraid they would threaten me," and "I think I sent over about 40 different sexual exploitation videos."
On the afternoon of the 19th, Jo, the operator of the Telegram messenger 'Baksa Bang,' was seen coming out after a warrant hearing at the Seoul Central District Court in Seocho-dong, Seoul. Jo is accused of threatening minors and others to film sexual exploitation materials and distributing them on Telegram. Photo by Yonhap News
Ms. A complained that she suffered from severe mental stress after being victimized. She explained, "For a while, I developed bipolar disorder and depression and couldn't even go outside," adding, "Even when I went out in the summer, I wrapped myself up completely."
She continued, "I heard that if those sexual exploitation videos are illegally shared on adult sites, they write down phone numbers and addresses," and lamented, "People who saw the videos know my face, so I was anxious that they might threaten me with this or harass me for life."
Regarding the number of minor victims, she emphasized, "(Such sexual exploitation) happens through dating apps and Twitter accounts, and most users of these apps are students," adding, "I believe that minors who do not know about social life were exploited more. Personally, I think there are more minors than adults."
Meanwhile, Jo Joo-bin (25), who operated the Telegram 'Baksa Room,' was arrested by the police on the 19th on charges including violation of the Act on the Protection of Children and Juveniles from Sexual Abuse.
The Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency plans to hold a personal information disclosure review committee on the 24th, consisting of three internal members and four external members, to decide whether to disclose Jo Joo-bin's personal information.
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