[Full Text] 'Baksa Bang' Jo Joo-bin Threatened Former CEO Son Seok-hee... Even Demanded Money

"Sorry to President Son Seok-hee" Jo Joo-bin's Controversial Remarks
Son Seok-hee's Side: "Jo Joo-bin Threatened President Son by Impersonating Private Investigator Boss"

Son Seok-hee, President of JTBC. Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Han Seung-gon, Intern Reporter Kim Yeon-ju] Regarding Telegram 'Doctor's Room' operator Jo Joo-bin (25) mentioning Son Seok-hee, the JTBC President Son Seok-hee's side has issued a statement.

According to JTBC's official statement on the afternoon of the 25th, Jo Joo-bin approached President Son via the messenger Telegram, claiming to be the head of a private investigation agency.

JTBC stated, "Jo deceived President Son by saying, 'Mr. K, who is in a dispute with President Son, is looking for someone to carry out harmful acts against President Son and his family, and approached me for this purpose.' He then presented manipulated Telegram messages as if he had directly communicated with Mr. K."

They added, "Jo's Telegram messages were so sophisticated and meticulously fabricated that even the police investigating the case believed them to be genuine. Because of this, President Son and his family were shaken with anxiety for some time."

Furthermore, "Separately, President Son found it hard to believe that Mr. K would commit such acts despite their dispute and said, 'If this is true, provide evidence such as bank statements.' Jo then demanded money, and President Son reluctantly complied to secure evidence. However, Jo ultimately did not provide the requested evidence and disappeared before being arrested. It was only after the arrest that the police informed that the person who approached as the head of a private investigation agency was Jo Joo-bin," they added.

Earlier that morning, before being transferred from Jongno Police Station in Seoul to the prosecution, Jo Joo-bin responded to reporters' questions asking if he had anything to say by stating, "I sincerely apologize to President Son Seok-hee, Mayor Yoon Jang-hyun (former Gwangju Mayor), Reporter Kim Woong, and all those who have been harmed by me."

On the 25th, at Jongno Police Station in Seoul, Jo Joo-bin (25), the operator of the 'Baksa Room,' was seen before being sent to the prosecution. Jo is accused of producing sexual exploitation materials and selling them for money on the messenger app Telegram. Photo by Moon Ho-nam munonam@

Full text of JTBC's official statement below

We hereby clarify JTBC President Son Seok-hee's position regarding statements made by Doctor's Room operator Jo Joo-bin.

Jo Joo-bin initially approached President Son via Telegram, claiming to be the head of a private investigation agency. He deceived President Son by saying, "Mr. K, who is in a dispute with President Son, is seeking someone to carry out harmful acts against President Son and his family and approached me for this purpose." He then presented manipulated Telegram messages as if he had directly communicated with Mr. K.

The Telegram messages presented by Jo included claims that "Mr. K had already paid him money to harm President Son or his family." The Telegram content was so sophisticated and meticulously fabricated that even the police investigating the case believed it to be genuine. Because of this, President Son and his family were shaken with anxiety for some time. President Son's family had already been subject to continuous terror threats following the 'Tablet PC' report, making them understandably sensitive.

Separately, President Son found it hard to believe that Mr. K would commit such acts despite their dispute and said, "If this is true, provide evidence such as bank statements." Jo then demanded money, and President Son reluctantly complied to secure evidence. However, Jo ultimately did not provide the requested evidence and disappeared before being arrested.

Even if Mr. K was not the person intending harm, if there was indeed someone, there was a possibility that another agent would be sought even if Jo Joo-bin was reported. Therefore, they were very cautious and delayed reporting. If someone was truly trying to harm the family, reporting only Jo Joo-bin would not suffice. That is why more evidence was requested.

Of course, it was only after the arrest that the police informed that the person who approached as the head of a private investigation agency was Jo Joo-bin.

This concludes President Son Seok-hee's position.

JTBC understands and supports President Son and his family’s position and will actively support any future responses.