[n번방, The Society That Created the Devil③] "Taking Money and Playing the Victim"... The Persistent Kkotbaem Frame

Sexual Exploitation Videos Still Circulated with Only Sales Channels Changed
Victims Cry Twice Under the 'Kkotbaem Frame'

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Yoo Byung-don] Jo Joo-bin (24), a key figure in the Telegram Nth Room and Doctor’s Room cases involving sadistic sexual exploitation of minors and women, has been arrested. As Jo Joo-bin’s actions have been fully exposed, public outrage has surged, but secondary victimization of the victims continues in some quarters. Sexual exploitation videos are still circulating, and the victims are being labeled as ‘kkotbaem’ (flower snakes), enduring ongoing suffering.

◆‘Nth Room’ videos shared by simply switching platforms= Posts buying and selling the types of sexual exploitation materials distributed by Jo continue to appear steadily. As the police expand investigations into the distribution of sexually exploitative obscene materials, video sellers are increasingly hiding in underground networks that are harder to trace. Sellers are becoming more sophisticated by routing through networks in multiple countries or using specific internet browsers that bypass IP address tracking, making investigations more challenging.

The police plan to strengthen investigations into the dark web and other platforms, but it is expected to be difficult. There is currently no legal basis to punish secondary victimization, especially for merely viewing the videos. A National Police Agency official said, "We are conducting investigations on various platforms such as Telegram and the dark web through international cooperation."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

◆The ‘kkotbaem’ frame imposed once again= Comments such as "Wouldn’t the woman have caused it?" and "They deserve it" are easily found in articles and posts related to the Nth Room case. Claims that the victims are not victims because they received money are also frequently posted.

Some netizens respond with comments like, "Why blame only men when it started as a means to make money?", "It’s unfair that all men are treated as potential sexual offenders because of the actions of some men," "Not all 260,000 have the same criminal nature," and "Normal female students have nothing to fear." This is very similar to the #MeToo movement that recently stirred our society.

In response, civic groups such as the Telegram Sexual Exploitation Joint Countermeasure Committee have called not only for comprehensive investigations but also for strict punishment of perpetrators and government support for victims who have hidden in fear. The legal team representing Telegram sexual exploitation victims stated, "Victims and their families cannot live normal lives as they report posts uploaded daily on various media."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

◆The public also voices “STOP!” against endless secondary victimization= A petition to change the judge handling the ‘Taepyeongyang’ (Telegram nickname) case, who was arrested for sharing materials similar to those in the ‘Doctor’s Room,’ was recently submitted to the Blue House. The judge, Oh Deok-sik, was criticized by women’s groups for lacking ‘gender sensitivity’ after stating during the late Goo Hara’s case trial that he needed to review the sexual videos used for threats.

On the 25th, an anonymous group of women called the ‘Nth Room Sexual Exploitation Strong Punishment Protest Organizing Committee’ held a press conference in front of the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency, stating, "Secondary victimization is an issue inseparable from sexual crimes," and urged, "Enact laws that can punish secondary victimization against sexual crime victims."

Kim Yeo-jin, director of the Korea Cyber Sexual Violence Counseling Center, said, "Women who suffer from cyber sexual violence often blame themselves and feel guilty," but emphasized, "Victims are victims. We will always offer help if they reach out. I hope more people realize that it is not the victim’s fault."