Military Court Detains Army Private, Accomplice of Jo Joo-bin

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Yang Nak-gyu Reporter] The military police have arrested a private in the army who is known as an accomplice of Jo Joo-bin (24, in custody), the operator of the Telegram 'Baksa Bang' who produced and distributed sexual exploitation materials.

On the 6th, the Army Capital Defense Command Ordinary Military Court held a pre-trial detention hearing for Private A, who is accused of violating the Act on the Protection of Children and Juveniles from Sexual Abuse, and issued an arrest warrant.

The military police explained that regarding Private A's charges, they plan to receive all related materials additionally once the police complete their supplementary investigation, including analysis of seized items, in cooperation with the police.

On the 3rd of this month, the military police urgently arrested Private A, who serves at an army unit in Gyeonggi Province, and applied for an arrest warrant the day before. Private A is suspected of distributing hundreds of sexual exploitation materials targeting women in the 'Baksa Bang' operated by Jo Joo-bin and promoting the 'Baksa Bang' externally.

Private A is reported to be 'Igiya,' one of the three co-operators of 'Baksa Bang' revealed by Jo Joo-bin's lawyer. Claims have been raised that a user with the chat name 'Igiya' was active in the Telegram chatroom until recently, suggesting a high possibility that Private A continued the crimes even during military service.

Civilian police, in cooperation with the Ministry of National Defense, conducted a search and seizure at the unit where Private A serves on the 3rd of this month, and plan to hand over additional related materials once the digital forensic analysis of the mobile phone is completed.

It is reported that Private A's seized mobile phone contained sexual exploitation videos presumed to have been distributed while active in 'Baksa Bang.'

An army official stated, "Recognizing the gravity and seriousness of this matter clearly, we will conduct a strict and thorough investigation and impose strong punishment."