"Trying to Reduce Sentences?"... 'n번방' Perpetrators Submit Reflection Letters One After Another

Operating 'Taepyeongyang Expedition' on Telegram... Accused of Distributing Sexual Exploitation Material
Submission of Apology Letters and Petitions Criticized as Attempts for Sentence Reduction
US Sentences 99.1% of Child Pornography Offenders to Imprisonment
Experts Say "Sentencing Standards Nationwide Need to Change"

On the 25th, as the vehicle carrying Cho Ju-bin, the operator of the 'Doctor's Room' who is 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 urging severe punishment for Cho Ju-bin. Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Suwan] It has been reported that Lee (16), known by the Telegram nickname 'Taepyeongyang,' who is accused in the so-called 'Nth Room' case involving the blackmail and sexual exploitation of minors and women, has submitted a letter of apology to the court.

Not only 'Taepyeongyang,' but also a certain Mr. Han, who is known to have helped Jo Joo-bin (25), the operator of 'Watchman' and 'Doctor's Room,' obtain victims' personal information, has submitted letters of apology multiple times.

As those involved in the 'Nth Room' case have been submitting letters of apology one after another, some have raised concerns that these may be fake apologies aimed solely at receiving reduced sentences rather than genuine remorse. Experts have pointed out that there are problems with the current sentencing guidelines in South Korea.

◆ Suspects in the 'Nth Room' Case Submit Letters of Apology One After Another

According to the legal community on the 30th, Lee has reportedly submitted a letter of apology to the court.

Lee, a paid member of the 'Nth Room,' is accused of operating a separate Telegram chatroom called 'Taepyeongyang Expedition Team,' which had about 20,000 members, from October last year to February this year, distributing sexually exploitative videos while acting as an administrator in the Doctor's Room.

Previously, Jeon, known as 'Watchman,' the former operator of the 'Nth Room,' is also reported to have submitted letters of apology at least 12 times from November last year to this month. The prosecution sought a prison sentence of 3 years and 6 months for Jeon.

Jeon was indicted last October for operating an illegal filming website on the internet and was additionally indicted after evidence surfaced linking him to the Nth Room case.

On the 9th, Han, who was brought to trial on charges including rape under the Juvenile Sexual Protection Act, has reportedly been submitting letters of apology to the court every day from the 19th to the 30th, excluding weekends.

Han's first trial is scheduled for the 8th of next month at the Seoul Central District Court Criminal Division 31 (Presiding Judge Kim Yeon-hak). Han is known to have helped Jo Joo-bin obtain victims' personal information.

On the 23rd, participants at a press conference condemning the 'Telegram Nth Room Prevention Act' (Amended Sexual Violence Punishment Act) held in front of the National Assembly building in Yeouido, Seoul, are urging the eradication of digital sex crimes and strict punishment. Photo by Yonhap News

◆ Letters of Apology Considered in Sentencing... Concerns Over Lenient Punishments

Some argue that the submission of these letters of apology is a planned act aimed at sentence reduction. This is because submitting a letter of apology is partially taken into account during the court's sentencing process.

South Korean courts consider letters of apology, petitions, settlements with victims, and the defendant's personal circumstances as factors in sentencing. Because of this, some defendants submit letters of apology to seek leniency or reduced sentences, sometimes resulting in light punishments.

An analysis by the Korea Sexual Violence Counseling Center of 137 sentencing guidelines registered in the court's comprehensive legal information system for lower court rulings related to sexual crimes last year found that about one-third, 48 cases, cited 'defendant's remorse and repentance' as a mitigating factor.

Meanwhile, there are voices saying that Lee's punishment may be reduced because he is currently a minor. According to the current Juvenile Act, juvenile offenders under 18 years old can only be sentenced up to their twenties even if they commit serious crimes punishable by death or life imprisonment.

As a result, citizens are voicing criticism such as "The judiciary's lenient punishments are problematic" and "There are no sentencing guidelines for digital sex crimes."

A 27-year-old office worker A, who said they agreed with the petition related to the 'Nth Room,' said, "I heard that accomplices related to the Telegram Doctor's Room are submitting letters of apology one by one," adding, "I don't understand why we can't impose severe punishments like other countries. Even looking at last year's dark web cases, how can they reduce sentences for a family breadwinner? It makes no sense," expressing frustration.

Housewife B (56) said, "This is a crime against children who adults should protect," and raised her voice, "I hope there won't be any absurd cases where juveniles get reduced sentences." She also insisted, "I think this is an opportunity to firmly establish sentencing guidelines for sex crimes."

Another office worker C (39) said, "Every year, lenient punishments for sex offenders become controversial, and it's frustrating that nothing changes," adding, "The court's ruling on the Nth Room case will be crucial."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

◆ In the U.S., 99.1% of Child Pornography Offenders Receive Prison Sentences

In other countries, sentencing guidelines for sex offenders are clear. According to a 2018 report by the U.S. Sentencing Commission, 99.1% of child pornography offenders were sentenced to prison.

Furthermore, for possession, the basic sentencing range is set between 41 and 51 months, and sentences are increased depending on factors such as the age of the victimized child, whether internet distribution was involved, and the number of videos.

Experts argue that South Korea's overall sentencing guidelines need to be changed. Attorney Son Jeong-hye appeared on YTN Radio on the 25th and said, "In most cases, sentences are handed down according to the prosecutor's recommendation or lower, so there are still criticisms that the recommended sentences and actual sentences are weak," adding, "Especially, there is criticism that prosecutors have been too lenient in their recommendations."

She continued, "Compared to other countries, especially regarding child and adolescent pornography, South Korea's statutory penalties are very low. As a result, there is a serious lack of morality. Many offenders have little sense of crime and feel little guilt," and said, "This is an issue that requires changing the overall sentencing guidelines. It is practically difficult to seek sentences over 10 years in sex crime cases, so the guidelines need to be raised overall."

She added, "There are voices within the prosecution calling for changes as well. However, there are practical issues, so public interest is necessary."