Fake News Flood Over Jo Joo-bin's Hometown... Citizens Express 'Frustration'
Hate Speech Targeting Specific Regions Pours Out
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 were 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 Ho-nam munonam@asiae.co.kr
[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Suwan] Fake news is rampant surrounding the personal information of Jo Joo-bin (25), who was arrested for operating the so-called 'Doctor's Room' on Telegram and producing and distributing sexually exploitative videos targeting minors and women. In particular, unverified claims that Jo Joo-bin's hometown is Jeolla Province are being mentioned as if they were true, leading to backlash as the region is disparaged as the birthplace of a criminal.
On social media platforms such as Twitter, hate speech including derogatory terms like 'HongX' and 'leftist' is pouring out, claiming Jo Joo-bin's hometown is Jeolla Province.
Posts have also appeared on various online community boards and in comments on articles related to the 'Nth Room' case, stating that "Jo Joo-bin's hometown is Jeolla Province, specifically Namwon in Jeollanam-do (or Jeollabuk-do Namwon)."
One netizen wrote in a comment, "Jeolla HongX is specialized in backstabbing, false agitation, and manipulation, an innate HongX nature," using derogatory words and profanity.
Comments on portal sites included regional disparagement such as "People from Jeolla are HongX," "His hometown is Namwon, so it's obvious without even seeing," and "It smells like Jeolla."
The problem lies in spreading false information as if it were true, thereby fostering regional hatred. Some netizens are spewing hateful expressions, claiming Jo Joo-bin is from Namwon, Jeonbuk.
As fake news claiming that "Jo Joo-bin is from Namwon, Jeollanam-do (Namwon, Jeollabuk-do)" spreads, hate speech including derogatory terms such as "HongX" and "Jwappal" is pouring out on social networking services (SNS) and online communities. Photo by Yonhap News
As a result, criticism against fake news disparaging specific regions is growing. This is because such fake news obscures the essence and focus of the case.
A 27-year-old office worker, A, expressed frustration, saying, "They can't even distinguish between Jeonbuk and Jeonnam but still want to engage in regional hatred," adding, "To stir up regional animosity over a suspect who caused national outrage is inhumane."
A 24-year-old university student, B, raised their voice, saying, "What does the hometown even matter? Don't cloud the issue," and "People spreading false information should all be punished."
Meanwhile, some claim that false information is being spread to hide the fact that Jo Joo-bin is a member of Ilgan Best Storage (Ilbe). One netizen said, "I came across an article saying Jo Joo-bin is Ilbe," and questioned, "Isn't it that Ilbe members are disparaging a specific region to cover this up?"
Various online communities have posts claiming Jo Joo-bin is an Ilbe member.
One poster, claiming to be a high school classmate of Jo Joo-bin, authenticated a graduation album photo and testified, "Jo Joo-bin is indeed Ilbe." They added, "During school days, Jo Joo-bin and other Ilbe members would quietly go to classmates and tease them by saying, 'Hey, try calling Kim Dae-jung and Roh Moo-hyun derogatory names; if you can't, you're a leftist HongX red.'"
On the 25th, as the vehicle carrying Cho Ju-bin, the operator of the 'Baksa Room' accused of producing and distributing sexual exploitation materials of women including minors on the internet messenger Telegram, left the Jongno Police Station in Seoul and headed to the prosecution detention center, citizens held a picket protest demanding severe punishment for Cho Ju-bin. Photo by Yonhap News
Meanwhile, Jo Joo-bin is accused of luring victims by offering part-time jobs, obtaining nude photos showing their faces, then blackmailing them to produce sexually exploitative materials and distributing them in the Doctor's Room.
He is known to have stolen personal information of victim women and paid members of the Doctor's Room through social service agents working at district offices and community centers, using this information as a means of blackmail and coercion.
Investigations revealed that Jo Joo-bin operated paid chat rooms divided into three levels, allowing access to higher-level videos depending on the amount of cryptocurrency paid.
The entrance fees for the paid chat rooms were reportedly about 200,000 to 250,000 KRW for level 1, 700,000 KRW for level 2, and 1,500,000 KRW for level 3. Approximately 130 million KRW in cash, believed to be converted from cryptocurrency, was found at Jo Joo-bin's residence.
The police handed over Jo Joo-bin's custody to the prosecution as the detention period was about to expire but plan to continue investigating his additional charges.
On the 24th, Police Commissioner Min Gap-ryong stated via the Blue House YouTube channel, "We will thoroughly investigate not only operator Jo Joo-bin but also the 'Doctor's Room' accomplices, video producers, and those who possessed and distributed sexually exploitative videos." He added, "We will take firm measures, including reviewing the disclosure of personal information in accordance with relevant procedures and regulations, ensuring it does not go against public demand."
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