Over 15,600 Sexual Exploitation Materials... 12-Year-Old Also Involved in Crime

Arrest of 'Discord' Sexual Exploitation Material Distributors... Mostly Middle and High School Students
One University Student Running Channel Detained... Operators and Redistributors Booked

[Asia Economy Reporter Han Seung-gon] Ten males, including middle and high school students, were arrested in a large-scale crackdown for distributing child and adolescent sexual exploitation materials using the messenger app 'Discord.' Most of the distributors were confirmed to be minors. Notably, among those who directly operated channels was a 12-year-old juvenile exempt from criminal liability.

The Gyeonggi Northern Provincial Police Agency announced on the 7th that they have arrested a university student in his 20s, Mr. A, on charges of violating the Act on the Protection of Children and Juveniles Against Sexual Abuse, the Special Act on the Punishment of Sexual Violence Crimes, and illegal gambling operations.

The police also booked high school student Mr. B and middle school student Mr. C, who operated other channels, without detention on charges of violating the Act on the Protection of Children and Juveniles Against Sexual Abuse. Mr. C is currently 12 years old and was an elementary school student at the time of the crime last year.

Additionally, seven others who redistributed sexual exploitation materials via Telegram or Discord were booked without detention on the same charges. Authorities are conducting an international joint investigation to track down 86 individuals who have not yet been apprehended.

According to the police, Mr. A operated the Discord channel OOO and is suspected of distributing child and adolescent sexual exploitation materials obtained through various channels.

He was also active on Telegram but was found not to have joined chat rooms operated by Cho Ju-bin (25, detained), who ran the 'Doctor's Room.' Mr. A is also suspected of distributing 'deepfake' videos and photos that combine celebrity images or videos with pornographic content.

On the morning of the 7th, at the Gyeonggi Bukbu Provincial Police Agency in Uijeongbu-si, Gyeonggi-do, the Digital Sex Crime Special Investigation Unit is unveiling seized items during a briefing on the arrest of operators and distributors of sexual exploitation material channels on the internet messenger 'Discord.' Photo by Yonhap News

Mr. A is believed to have continuously distributed sexual exploitation materials and induced channel members to sign up for specific gambling sites, earning profits as compensation for promotion. The promotional compensation was calculated at 16 million won.

Mr. B and Mr. C also operated channels on Discord and are suspected of distributing child and adolescent sexual exploitation materials like Mr. A. Mr. C, being a juvenile between 10 and under 14 years old exempt from criminal liability, will receive protective measures rather than punishment. The maximum penalty Mr. C can face is placement in a juvenile detention center for up to two years.

Among the seven individuals who redistributed child and adolescent sexual exploitation materials through 'one-on-one' chat methods without directly operating channels, all but one man in his 50s were confirmed to be minors aged 12 to 17.

They used a method of sending download links in exchange for 10,000 to 30,000 won per video. Monetary transactions were made via bank transfers or cultural gift certificates. The total amount of sexual exploitation materials they possessed reached approximately 15,600 items (225GB).

The police stated that they have deleted the sexual exploitation materials and are continuing an international joint investigation to track down the remaining 86 suspects who have not yet been apprehended.