"Uncomfortable with Suspected Criminals' Gaze" vs "Let's Get Angry Together" 'n-bunbang' Case, Escalating Gender Conflict

"Punish 260,000 Complicit in Sexual Exploitation Properly"
Heated Debate Over Treating Men as "Potential Criminals" in the 'n번방' Case
Prosecutor Seo Ji-hyun: "Let's Unite in Anger Against Sexual Crimes"

At a press conference titled "We Demand a Fundamental Solution to the Telegram Sexual Exploitation Case," hosted by the Telegram Sexual Exploitation Joint Countermeasure Committee on the afternoon of the 26th at the stairs of Sejong Center for the Performing Arts in Jongno-gu, Seoul, participants are holding placards. [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Han Seung-gon] # Ms. A, a female office worker in her 20s, recently had a heated argument with Mr. B, a male office worker, over the 'n번방' (Nth Room) case. Ms. A said, "Most of the perpetrators in the Nth Room case are men. At the very least, men should reflect and repent for this incident." She added, "Honestly, this case has created prejudice against men. You can't tell who the criminal is."

Mr. B acknowledged the seriousness of the case but countered, "It's not right to treat all men that way." He continued, "Men also find this case horrifying. There are many voices calling for all perpetrators to be punished," dismissing Ms. A's claims.

The conflict between men and women is intensifying over the 'Nth Room' case, where women, including minors, were threatened and sexually exploited through shared sexual exploitation materials. Since most perpetrators are male, some women criticize men as being virtually 'potential criminals.'

Especially, women's organizations have claimed that the simple aggregation of participants in about 60 sexual exploitation chat rooms related to the case reaches 260,000 people. Although there are concerns about significant overlap in numbers, the estimate that the number of users is at least tens of thousands is gaining traction due to the many similar chat rooms.

As a result, fierce debates are taking place in comments on articles related to the 'Nth Room' case, various online communities, and social media platforms like Twitter.

One Twitter user questioned, "People who worry that their boyfriends, male friends, fathers, uncles, or coworkers might be involved are being treated as potential criminals without considering their position... I'm really curious, so why is the list of names being refused to be disclosed?"

Another netizen responded with disbelief, saying, "Even now, women who can't drive are called 'Kim Yeo-sa' (a derogatory term) but they say not to treat them as potential criminals. It's absurd."

Men acknowledge the gravity of the case itself but feel the criticism is excessive.

On a university anonymous Facebook page, a student commented, "It's a tragic and infuriating case, but why are we all being labeled as perpetrators?" and raised their voice, "Did I participate in or condone that incident?"

Another student expressed fatigue, saying, "Rather, we are all victims," and "Because of this social atmosphere, even decent men feel like sex offenders and are on edge."

◆ Prosecutor Seo Ji-hyun: "War Against Sexual Crimes, Let's Share Our Anger" Encourages Men to Express Their Anger

Amid escalating gender conflicts over the 'Nth Room' case and criticism of men as 'potential criminals,' Seo Ji-hyun, Special Advisor on Gender Equality Policy at the Ministry of Justice and the figure who sparked the 'Me Too' movement by exposing sexual violence, asked men to express their empathetic anger regarding this sexual crime through her Facebook post.

On the 22nd, Prosecutor Seo wrote on her Facebook, "I am angry on behalf of men who are not criminals," and said, "Don't make all men potential perpetrators by saying 'all men watch porn,' and don't promote misogyny by saying 'men can watch porn sometimes.'"

She added, "The issue of sexual crimes is not a 'war between men and women' but a 'war against crime,'" emphasizing, "'Porn' is not the right term; it is 'sexual exploitation material.' Let's share our anger in the war against sexual crimes."

This was interpreted as a criticism of some men who say they have no connection to the 'Nth Room' case but feel they are being treated like criminals.

Jo Joo-bin, the operator of the Telegram 'Baksa Room' who threatened women including minors to produce and distribute illegal sexual exploitation videos, was transferred from Jongno Police Station in Seoul to the prosecution on the morning of the 25th.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

On the 26th, Prosecutor Seo appeared on CBS Radio's 'Kim Hyun-jung's News Show' and stressed the need for a change in perception regarding digital sexual crimes.

She said, "Crimes in virtual reality are much more brutal and contagious than in the real world," and "I believe much stronger punishments are needed now than for crimes in the real world."

She emphasized, "Middle-aged men say all men watch porn, but the Nth Room case is not porn but sexual exploitation material," and added, "Still, saying watching porn is natural is tantamount to treating all men as potential criminals."

She continued, "The public needs to be more outraged about digital sexual crimes," and "If we don't change now, there may never be another chance." She also revealed, "There are threats to terrorize me on some male-dominated sites," and said, "I have told my family to prepare for the worst just in case," reiterating, "If there is a role I can play, I am willing to risk my life."

◆ Korean Women Lawyers Association (Yeo-byeon): "Active Legal Support to Prevent Additional Harm"

Meanwhile, the Korean Women Lawyers Association (Yeo-byeon) announced that it will provide legal support to women, children, and adolescents harmed by the 'Nth Room' case.

On the 25th, Yeo-byeon stated, "We will provide legal support to women, children, and adolescents who suffered severe harm in the so-called 'Nth Room' Telegram group chat."

Yeo-byeon explained, "So far, the number of confirmed victims has reached over 74, including 16 children and adolescents," and added, "We cannot overlook their suffering and have decided to actively provide legal support to prevent further harm."

Yeo-byeon also urged the prompt passage of amendments to the Digital Sexual Crime Punishment Act and the enactment of a special law on the punishment of digital sexual crimes and support for victims (Digital Sexual Crime Punishment Act).

According to Yeo-byeon's investigation, among the 175 proposed amendments to the Digital Sexual Crime Punishment Act submitted to the 20th National Assembly, none specifically address the punishment of the 'Nth Room' perpetrators or victim protection.

Yeo-byeon emphasized, "This shows that the National Assembly and government have not met the public's anger and expectations," and added, "We hope that through the disclosure of the identities of accomplices involved in the Nth Room sexual crimes, a foundation will be laid so that such sexual crimes never take root again in Korea."

*If you experience difficulties due to illegal filming or distribution of photos or videos, threats based on such materials, or sexual harassment in cyberspace, you can receive support from the Women's Emergency Hotline 1366 and the Digital Sexual Crime Victim Support Center (02-735-8994).