Request to Remove Authority and Qualification of Judge Oh Deok-sik Handling the n번방 Case Appears on Blue House Petition

Judge Odeok-sik, Controversy Over Late Goo Hara's 'Secondary Victimization'... Multiple Suspended Sentences in Sexual Crime Verdicts

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 Intern Reporter Kim Seul-gi] A petition on the Blue House National Petition Board has been posted requesting the replacement of the presiding judge in the 'Taepyeongyang' (Telegram nickname) case, who was arrested for sharing materials similar to those distributed in the sexual exploitation sharing chatroom 'Doctor's Room'.

The judge in question is Judge Oh Deok-sik, who previously stated during the trial of the late Goo Hara that he needed to review the sex video used for threats, drawing criticism from women's groups for lacking 'gender sensitivity'. The petitioner pointed out that for this reason, the 'Nth Room' trial cannot deliver a proper verdict either.

On the 27th, a petition requesting the disqualification of Judge Oh Deok-sik, who is in charge of the 'Nth Room' case, was posted on the Blue House National Petition Board.

The petitioner stated, "Judge Oh, who has previously caused nationwide outrage with his ruling in the late Goo Hara's hidden camera case, and has been criticized by women's organizations and netizens for rulings that show excessive leniency towards sex offenders."

They continued, "As international investigations are pursuing the Nth Room perpetrators, please ensure that the blood, sweat, and tears of the victims are not corrupted, and that all main perpetrators and participants of the Nth Room receive proper punishment."

Regarding A (16), a participant in the 'Nth Room' known as 'Taepyeongyang', Judge Oh Deok-sik of the Seoul Central District Court Criminal Division 20 has scheduled the first trial for the 30th.

The prosecution submitted a request to postpone the trial date, considering the possibility of additional indictments related to conspiracy with Cho Ju-bin.

Netizens who saw the related news commented on the article with reactions such as, "Why was Judge Oh Deok-sik, who gives not guilty verdicts for all sex crimes, appointed as a judge?" and "Why is Oh Deok-sik the presiding judge?"

Previously, on August 29 of last year, Judge Oh Deok-sik of the Seoul Central District Court Criminal Division 20 sentenced Choi, the ex-boyfriend of Goo Hara, to 1 year and 6 months in prison with a 3-year probation in the first trial. Choi was accused of inflicting bruises on Goo's arms and legs during a dispute in September 2018 and threatening to distribute sex videos.

Additionally, Judge Oh acquitted a former Chosun Ilbo reporter who was charged with sexually assaulting the late Jang Ja-yeon last August. The judge reasoned that if sexual assault had occurred at the birthday party, the party would have been stopped, but women's groups strongly opposed the ruling, stating that the party was a place where forced sexual favors were given under the name of entertainment.

In November of the same year, Judge Oh gave a suspended sentence to a photographer who had secretly installed hidden cameras on the floor of wedding halls for three years to illegally film guests, and also gave a suspended sentence to Kim, who was charged with secretly filming women's bodies with a small camcorder at large marts and other places in 2013.

As suspended sentences were handed down one after another in cases involving sex crime charges, women's groups immediately protested. Last year, a coalition of six civic groups including the Green Party and the Korea Cyber Sexual Violence Response Center, called the 'Joint Action for Reforming the Sexual Corruption Cartel' (Joint Action), demanded Judge Oh Deok-sik's resignation, saying, "We cannot lose women to the sexual corruption judiciary. Judge Oh Deok-sik should step down."

The Joint Action stated, "Even if justice collapses, judges must stand firmly by the victims and protect human rights, but judges who neglect this responsibility are accomplices," and questioned, "Does 'sexual corruption judge' Oh Deok-sik deserve to wear the robe?"