Police Decide to Disclose Personal Information of Jo Joo-bin from 'Telegram Baksa-bang' (Update)

Face to Be Revealed During Transfer Tomorrow Morning

Jo Joo-bin. / Provided by Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Gwan-ju] The police have decided to disclose the personal information of Jo Joo-bin (24), the operator of the Telegram 'Baksa-bang'. This is the first time that personal information of a suspect has been disclosed under the Act on Special Cases Concerning the Punishment of Sexual Crimes.

The Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency held a 'Personal Information Disclosure Review Committee' on the afternoon of the 24th, consisting of three police officers and four external members, and decided to disclose Jo Joo-bin's name, age, face, and other personal information.

The committee stated, "The crime method is malicious and repetitive, including producing and distributing sexually exploitative videos referring to numerous unspecified women as slaves, and the crime is serious as there are as many as 70 victims including children and adolescents," adding, "An arrest warrant has been issued and sufficient personal and material evidence has been secured," as the reason for disclosure.

The current Sexual Violence Punishment Act stipulates that personal information can be disclosed when there is sufficient evidence to believe the suspect committed the crime, and it is necessary for the public interest such as guaranteeing the public's right to know, preventing recidivism of the suspect, and crime prevention. Jo Joo-bin became the first case where this regulation was applied and personal information disclosure was decided.

Additionally, the police also released past photos of Jo Joo-bin's face. His current face is scheduled to be disclosed to the media on the morning of the 25th during the transfer process at the Jongno Police Station in Seoul.