"n번방 Incident Foreseen... Legislative and Judicial Branches Must Have Gender Sensitivity" [Interview]

Seo Seung-hee, Director of Korea Cyber Sexual Violence Response Center Interview
"Meticulous and Horrific Crime 'Nth Room' Was Predictable"
"Core of Sexual Exploitation Is Consumers... Need to Establish Possession Crime"
"More Female Lawmakers Should Participate in the National Assembly"

Seonghee Seo, Director of the Korea Cyber Sexual Violence Response Center / Photo by Korea Cyber Sexual Violence Response Center

[Asia Economy Reporters Seunggon Han, Gayun Kim, Intern Reporter Yeonju Kim] "It is unfortunate that attention only comes after everything has exploded."

The so-called 'Nth Room case,' in which sexual exploitation materials created by threatening minors and women were distributed through Telegram chat rooms, has sparked national outrage. The female victims who sent nude photos to the 'Doctor's Room' operator Jo Joo-bin (25, detained) had no choice but to comply exactly with the criminals' instructions, fearing that the photos would be revealed to their families, school friends, and acquaintances. The photos and videos were sold for money. It was a meticulous and organized crime.

On the 30th, we met Seo Seung-hee, the head of the Korea Cyber Sexual Violence Response Center, at the Seoul Women’s Plaza in Dongjak-gu, Seoul, to hear expert opinions on the 'Nth Room' case. Seo expressed regret, saying she had foreseen such a horrific incident would occur.

She pointed out that at the core of this case lies the deeply rooted 'rape culture' among Korean men in our society. It serves as a kind of warning that a second 'Nth Room' incident could happen at any time.

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

◆ "Korean Men’s 'Rape Culture' Underlies the Nth Room Incident"

Seo concluded that the horrific 'Nth Room' incident stemmed from the so-called 'rape culture' among Korean men. Rape culture literally means that the sexual crime of 'rape' has become embedded as a culture among men. Although 'rape' and 'culture' seem contradictory, experts in sexual violence counseling agree that for men with twisted sexual values, this is not the case at all.

Part of rape culture involves mocking the victims and justifying their crimes. Seo said, "The perpetrators who sympathized in the Telegram chat rooms also showed behavior mocking public authority and anger, saying things like 'We won’t be punished,' and 'Why leave now when leaving raises suspicion?'" She pointed out, "Believing that consuming and purchasing sexual exploitation materials is something they can do and not recognizing it as sexual violence made such violence possible."

Regarding the 'secondary victimization' that mocks victims, she said, "Our society has not acknowledged sexual violence cases, saying things like 'It happened because of improper behavior,' 'Because she wore a short skirt, she was sexually assaulted,' or 'Most sexual violence cases are fake MeToo or gold diggers.' Truly unfair and undeniable sexual violence victims are very rare in this society. Voices saying 'Women are also at fault' and 'Prove the victim’s purity' have existed for a long time."

She added, "This case does not stand out because of distorted sexual awareness. It is the result of a long-standing culture called rape culture, which treats sexual violence as nothing and shares a misogynistic culture."

Regarding why sexual exploitation has not been eradicated in our society, she pointed out, "Because there is no law punishing users who consume, purchase, or collect sexual exploitation materials."

On the 25th, as the vehicle carrying Jo Joo-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 demanding severe punishment for Jo Joo-bin. [Image source=Yonhap News]

◆ "Meticulous and Horrific Crime: The Nth Room Incident Evolved into a Monster"

Seo defined the 'Nth Room' case as a meticulous and organized crime. She explained, "Previously, online grooming typically involved an adult male approaching a female adolescent to obtain videos and then blackmailing her. There was only one direct perpetrator. However, Telegram had spectators and buyers waiting, and it evolved into an organized form where sexual exploitation was planned, victims were scouted, and videos were supplied."

She continued, "Previously, sexual exploitation videos were distributed through platforms suitable for viewing, sharing, and selling, but this case is unique in that the messenger itself became the platform. Using a secure messenger that can accommodate up to 50,000 users, videos were continuously uploaded amid casual chats and verbal sexual violence, reflecting the unique characteristics of a 'messenger.'"

Seo expressed regret that the 'Nth Room' case was already foreseeable and that society could have responded but failed to do so. She criticized society’s lack of interest in the secretive and horrific sexual crimes.

She said, "Even though online sexual violence surfaced, the problem was not resolved. Instead, incidents increased through repetition. Therefore, I thought a major incident would erupt where online grooming would transition into blackmail to obtain sexual exploitation materials."

She added, "If laws had been established earlier and the nation had paid attention sooner, large-scale sexual exploitation would have decreased. It is unfortunate that attention only comes after everything has exploded."

On the 25th, as the vehicle carrying Jo Joo-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 demanding severe punishment for Jo Joo-bin. [Image source=Yonhap News]

◆ "The 'Middle-aged Male Face' Dominating Key Positions in the National Assembly and Judiciary Must Change"

According to the National Assembly website and transcripts on the 24th, after the National Assembly opened the online petition site 'People’s Consent Petition' on January 10, a petition titled 'Petition to Resolve Digital Sexual Crimes Occurring on Telegram' was posted on January 15.

The petition demands international joint investigations, the establishment of dedicated investigative departments, and stricter sentencing guidelines for digital sexual crimes to resolve Telegram sexual crimes. It was the first petition to receive 100,000 signatures and was referred to the Legislation and Judiciary Committee on February 11.

However, the minutes of the first subcommittee meeting of the Legislation and Judiciary Committee on March 3 reveal that some attendees seemed unaware of the seriousness of the 'Nth Room' case.

Deputy Director Kim In-gyeom of the Court Administration said, "This is also the so-called 'Nth Room case,' which I don’t know well," and "(Deepfake) can be made thinking it is an art piece."

Deputy Minister of Justice Kim Oh-soo said, "Young people or those growing up often do such things on their computers."

Democratic Party lawmaker Song Ki-heon said, "You can’t punish someone just for thinking they are drawing a picture alone. It’s like drawing in my diary."

Future United Party lawmaker Kim Do-eup said, "Isn’t it punishable under existing laws?" and "Do we make all laws just because of a petition?" while party colleague Jung Jeom-sik said, "Would it go as far as punishing someone who enjoys such videos alone for self-satisfaction?"

This is why there are criticisms that the National Assembly, lacking gender sensitivity, effectively nurtured the 'Nth Room' case. Currently, both ruling and opposition parties are drafting laws for the strict punishment of the 'Nth Room' case.

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

◆ "National Assembly’s Low Gender Sensitivity... Active Participation of Female Lawmakers Is Crucial"

Seo criticized the low gender sensitivity of the legislative and judicial branches and suggested the need for more female lawmakers.

She said, "The core of this case should have been clearly understood and proper alternatives proposed, which was the responsibility of the National Assembly and the meaning of the first petition, but it was handled too formally. They easily judged that they fulfilled their duty by saying 'This is not the National Assembly’s business' or 'There are related bills, so this is enough.' This attitude is because the National Assembly is composed of middle-aged men."

Regarding the fact that many perpetrators are charged with distributing obscene materials rather than sexual violence, she said, "This is very problematic. From the victim’s perspective, it is a tremendous act of sexual violence, but if charged with distributing obscene materials, many cases end with a summary indictment and a fine. Victims have no legal means to recover from the damage."

She advised, "Therefore, it is necessary to think about why the judicial and investigative agencies applied obscenity charges when sexual violence was committed."

About the National Assembly, she said, "Most decision-making and important roles are filled by middle-aged men. However, because they are authoritative and elite men, they have limitations in empathizing with victims. No matter how laws and systems change, actual decisions are made by numerous role players. Therefore, the faces of those filling these positions must change significantly."

On the 30th, representatives of the Daejeon Women's Association Union strongly demanded the severe punishment of those involved in the 'Telegram Nth Room' case, a sexual exploitation video distribution incident, in front of the Daejeon District Prosecutors' Office. [Image source=Yonhap News]

◆ "Possession of Sexual Exploitation Materials Should Be Punishable... Urging Establishment of 'Possession of Sexual Exploitation Materials' Crime"

The police investigating the Telegram sexual exploitation case are considering punishing those who viewed sexual exploitation videos under the crime of possession of obscene materials.

On the 29th, according to the police, the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency is reviewing the legal grounds for applying the 'possession of obscene materials involving children and adolescents' under the Act on the Protection of Children and Juveniles from Sexual Abuse (Child and Youth Sexual Protection Act) to those who simply viewed sexual exploitation materials involving minors exchanged in Telegram chat rooms.

However, there is criticism of a legal gap because there is no provision to punish possession of sexual exploitation materials involving adults.

Regarding this, Seo urged the establishment of new legislation that punishes all acts of purchasing, possessing, and viewing sexual exploitation materials for sexual purposes.

She said, "The core of violence in digital sexual crimes is the consumer, not the planner," and "Tens of thousands of people who want to see sexual exploitation materials are always ready. Therefore, punishing only the 'Doctor' will create another 'Doctor.'"

Seo added, "It does not have to be called 'possession crime,' but those who exist as users must be punishable so that victims feel less fear. If possession itself becomes a crime, it will give those who keep sexual exploitation materials the awareness that it is illegal, which is very effective in preventing redistribution. By cutting off consumption and demand, suppliers or planners may not emerge."

She continued, "In fact, this crime was committed by tens of thousands together, but only a few are punished. If they are not caught this time, those who want to see, download, and collect sexual exploitation materials will organize in other platforms and ways. The core problem is not punishing perpetrators who consume and enjoy sexual exploitation."

Meanwhile, Jo Joo-bin (25), who operated the 'Doctor's Room,' a type of 'Nth Room,' was arrested on charges including violation of the Act on the Protection of Children and Juveniles from Sexual Abuse and was sent to the prosecution on the 25th. Shin Mo (32), known as 'Kelly,' who inherited the 'Nth Room' from 'GodGod,' the first operator, was arrested in September last year, sentenced to one year in the first trial, and is awaiting the appeal trial verdict on the 27th. Jeon Mo (38), known as 'Watchman,' a former operator, was also indicted in detention.

*If you experience difficulties such as illegal filming or distribution of photos or videos, blackmail using them, or sexual harassment in cyberspace, you can receive support from the Women’s Emergency Hotline 1366 or the Digital Sexual Crime Victim Support Center (02-735-8994).