'Me Too Trigger' Prosecutor Seo Ji-hyun: "n번방, Entered Out of Curiosity? That's Psychopath"

In January last year, Seo Ji-hyun, Deputy Chief Prosecutor at the Suwon District Prosecutors' Office Seongnam Branch, who came forward with a 'Me Too' allegation related to former Prosecutor General Ahn Tae-geun, held a press conference to announce her position at the Seoul Seocho-gu Bar Association building. Photo by Kang Jin-hyung aymsdream@

[Asia Economy Reporter Shinwon Yoon] Seo Ji-hyun, a special advisor on gender equality policy at the Ministry of Justice, refuted remarks made by Hwang Kyo-ahn, leader of the United Future Party, who said that "judgments may differ for people who entered the Nth Room out of curiosity."

On the 2nd, Prosecutor Seo posted on her Facebook, "If a criminal kills someone and says 'I did it out of curiosity,' or rapes or sexually assaults someone and says 'I did it out of curiosity,' then naturally the judgment should be different," adding, "In such cases, they should be judged as psychopaths, and if they did it as a 'game,' even more so..."

Prosecutor Seo stated, "It is inevitable to conclude that permanent social isolation is necessary. Curiosity is this dangerous," demanding strong punishment for digital sex offenders.

Earlier, on the 1st, at a discussion hosted by the Broadcast Journalists Club, Hwang said regarding the disclosure of identities of Nth Room members, "For those who entered the (Nth) Room out of curiosity but stopped their activities upon realizing it was 'inappropriate,' judgments (such as identity disclosure) may differ," sparking controversy.

In response to criticism that her remarks were part of an election campaign, Prosecutor Seo clarified, "The term 'psychopath' refers to 'criminals' who commit crimes out of curiosity, not politicians," adding, "There seems to be room for misunderstanding. As a public official, I will be careful not to support any politician."