Prosecution Decides to Reinforce Investigation on N번방 'Watchman'... Likely to Refile Charges (Comprehensive)

[Asia Economy Reporter Song Seung-yoon] The prosecution initially demanded a prison sentence of 3 years and 6 months for the former operator of the 'n번방' (Nth Room), known by the Telegram nickname 'Watchman (watchman)', who produced and distributed sexually exploitative materials on Telegram, but has now decided to conduct additional investigations. The n번방 was the origin of the distribution channels for sexually exploitative materials, and after this room was created, several similar chat rooms, including the 'Doctor's Room (Baksa-bang)', emerged.

The Suwon District Prosecutors' Office's Women and Children Crime Investigation Division (Chief Prosecutor Jeon Hyun-min) announced on the 24th that it has decided to conduct further investigations into the case of Jeon Mo (38, office worker), who was indicted on charges including violation of the Act on the Protection of Children and Juveniles Against Sexual Abuse, under the Telegram nickname Watchman, and has applied to resume the trial.

This decision was made somewhat abruptly after the prosecution's sentencing demand was reported in the media. On the 19th of this month, at the Suwon District Court Criminal Division 9 presided over by Judge Park Min, during the sentencing hearing of this case, the prosecution requested the court to sentence Jeon to 3 years and 6 months in prison, notify the public of his personal information, and impose a 7-year employment restriction.

However, following the sentencing demand, nationwide outrage erupted over the case involving Jo Joo-bin (25), the operator of the so-called 'Doctor's Room', who produced and distributed sexually exploitative materials. There were continuous criticisms that the sentencing demand in the Watchman case did not align with the public's sense of justice. The prosecution appears to have been conscious of this. The Ministry of Justice also announced on the same day its policy to strongly punish those involved in the n번방 case, including strict investigations of all participants and demanding the maximum legal sentences in court.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

The prosecution explained that at the time of Jeon's indictment, no connection between the n번방, including the recently problematic 'Doctor's Room', and Jeon had been confirmed, and that Jeon had only posted links to other chat rooms sharing obscene materials on Telegram, without directly participating in the production of such materials, which was taken into account when determining the sentencing demand.

The court accepted the prosecution's request and decided to continue the trial at 4:30 p.m. on the 6th of next month. The sentencing hearing originally scheduled for the 9th of next month was canceled.

A prosecution official stated, "This decision was made to conduct additional investigations into the connection and accomplice status with other obscene material production and distribution cases under police investigation, such as the 'Doctor's Room' case. Through this, we will ensure that a severe sentence appropriate to the gravity of the crime is imposed."

Jeon was indicted on charges of opening a Telegram chat room called 'Gotham Room' from April to September last year, sharing obscene materials, promoting the chat room to an unspecified number of users, and collecting sponsorship funds.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Jeon is accused of posting a link to another chat room called 'Nosamo' in this room and uploading more than 10,000 obscene materials. Among these were about 100 nude photos and videos exposing the bodies of children and adolescents. The prosecution also applied charges against Jeon for violating the Act on the Protection of Children and Juveniles Against Sexual Abuse.

Prior to this, Jeon was indicted in October last year on charges of operating an obscene website containing illegally filmed videos, including secretly filming women in public restrooms. Last month, Jeon was additionally indicted for distributing over 9,000 illegal obscene materials, including videos featuring children and adolescents, through the n번방. These facts came to light as related investigations proceeded during Jeon's trial process.

Jeon is known to have submitted letters of apology 12 times over the course of three trials held from November last year to this month.

Meanwhile, the police are focusing their investigative efforts on tracking down the suspect with the nickname 'GodGod', who originally created the n번방. Jo Joo-bin, the operator of the 'Doctor's Room' created as an extension of the n번방, has already been detained, and his personal information was disclosed on this day. The police plan to transfer Jo Joo-bin to the prosecution around 8 a.m. on the 25th and will reveal his face at that time.