Police: "Son Seokhee, Yoon Janghyun, Kim Woong Mentioned by Jo Joobin Unrelated to Sexual Exploitation Material... Possible Fraud Victims"

Jo Joo-bin, the operator of the 'Doctor's Room' who threatened dozens of women including minors on the internet messenger Telegram and forced them to film obscene materials which he then distributed, is coming out of Jongno Police Station in Seoul on the morning of the 25th to be sent to the prosecution. Photo by Moon Honam munonam@

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Gwan-joo] Attention is focused on the background behind Jo Joo-bin (24), the operator of the 'Telegram Doctor's Room,' who was sent to the prosecution on the 25th on charges of producing and distributing sexual exploitation materials involving women, including minors, mentioning Son Seok-hee, CEO of JTBC, former Gwangju Mayor Yoon Jang-hyun, and freelance journalist Kim Woong. The police have detected circumstances suggesting that the three people mentioned by Jo are victims of other incidents unrelated to sexual exploitation materials and are investigating.

On the morning of the same day, Jo said as he left Jongno Police Station in Seoul, "I sincerely apologize to CEO Son Seok-hee, Mayor Yoon Jang-hyun, Journalist Kim Woong, and all others who have been harmed by me."

Regarding this, the police explained that the individuals mentioned by Jo are being investigated as victims of different cases. A police official stated, "We are investigating victimization related to those individuals," adding, "It is not related to child sexual exploitation materials but other victimization. We want to clarify that they did not join the chat rooms or watch videos."

The victim cases mentioned by the police appear to be related to fraud activities carried out by Jo in Telegram chat rooms and elsewhere. Before operating the Doctor's Room, which distributed current child sexual exploitation materials, Jo committed multiple fraud crimes, such as selling drugs and firearms.

Additionally, Jo is also accused of approaching a journalist who does personal broadcasts last December and extorting money by claiming to provide a USB containing information about politicians. There is speculation that this case may be related to Journalist Kim.

However, the police drew a line, stating that they are only investigating the possibility that the three people mentioned by Jo could be victims based on his statements, and no specific victimization has been confirmed.

A police official said, "We are in the verification stage based on Jo's statements," adding, "Since this is an ongoing investigation, it is difficult to disclose specific details, but although Jo mentioned those individuals, which might make one think they are suspects, that is not the case."