[Exclusive] 'Gatgat' Moon Hyung-wook's University Also in Uproar... In Reality, "An Outsider with Mid-Level Grades"

Originator of Nth Room 'GodGod' Moon Hyung-wook, Identity Revealed on 13th
Acquaintances Say "An Ordinary Student... It's Confusing"
Affiliated University Also in Turmoil... Emergency Response Meeting Convened

Photos from the university days (left) and high school graduation (right) of Moon Hyung-wook, the first creator of the 'Nth Room' known as 'GodGod', whose identity was decided to be disclosed on the 13th / Photo by Reader Provided

[Asia Economy Reporters Song Seung-yoon and Lee Jung-yoon] Moon Hyung-wook (24), known as ‘GodGod’ who acted like a ‘god’ in the world of Telegram, was in reality an extremely ordinary person who could be found anywhere around us.

On the 13th, as the decision to disclose Moon’s personal information was made, those around him all showed similar reactions, saying, “I never even dreamed of this,” and “It’s so shocking.” Even people from his department who had been with him since his school days and university life described him as “so ordinary that no particular image comes to mind.”

It was confirmed that Moon was enrolled in an architecture-related department at a national university in the metropolitan area until shortly before his recent arrest. The department requires 170 credits to graduate, and Moon had earned 135 credits so far, so under normal circumstances, he was expected to graduate after completing the first and second semesters this year. The department is a five-year program.

Moon’s university life was not much different from that of other students. He maintained average grades and had a smooth university life without conflicts or involvement in incidents or accidents. However, because he hardly participated in department activities, not many people remembered him. Even his classmates who entered the same year testified that their memories of him were vague. Although he was close to a few classmates in his first year, contact was almost completely lost after he was discharged from the military.

A classmate A (24), who was enrolled in the same department as Moon, said, “(Moon) hardly participated in department activities and didn’t have close friends, so he was close to an outsider,” adding, “I have no special memories of him except that he always sat right by the entrance during class.”

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Except for his lack of sociability, his appearance was close to that of a ‘model university student.’ Under the guidance of a supervising professor, he co-authored papers published in academic journals and actively participated in extracurricular activities related to his major.

Moon applied for military leave on February 3, 2016, completed his service, and returned to school on February 28, 2018. Considering that Moon operated the ‘Nth Room’ from late 2018 until September last year, it appears that he was attending school while simultaneously creating and running the Telegram Nth Room. ‘GodGod,’ who committed horrific sexual exploitation crimes against women including minors, transformed into an ordinary university student by day.

The department Moon attended was also thrown into turmoil. Within the department, when Moon was first exposed to the media on the 12th while leaving the detention center for a pre-arrest suspect interrogation (warrant hearing), there was already talk that he might be someone from the department. Although he covered his face with a mask and hat, some recognized him.

A university student B (23), who took classes with him, testified, “He always quietly attended class and left, so I don’t remember many people paying attention to him,” adding, “I didn’t know his name well, but when his face was revealed, I immediately recognized (Moon).”

Some students in the department took a cautious stance until just before his personal information was disclosed. University student C (24), who said they were close to him, said, “Since accurate information hasn’t come out yet, I have nothing to say,” and added, “There is a strong atmosphere within the department to wait and see first.”

[Image source=Yonhap News]

The university Moon attended had grasped these facts since the morning before the personal information disclosure and hurriedly held an emergency countermeasure meeting. The school plans to form a response team regarding this incident and verify the exact facts. They are also preparing a separate statement.

Meanwhile, the Gyeongbuk Provincial Police Agency held a personal information disclosure committee from 1 p.m. on the same day to review whether to disclose Moon’s personal information and decided to disclose it based on Article 25 of the Sexual Violence Punishment Act (Disclosure of Suspect’s Face, etc.). Accordingly, Moon’s name, age, and photos were released. The police also plan to announce additional detailed investigation results regarding Moon’s specific crimes.

Moon is accused of producing and distributing sexual exploitation videos of multiple women, including minors, in Telegram chat rooms.

The Cyber Safety Division of the Gyeongbuk Provincial Police Agency summoned Moon on the 9th for investigation, obtained a confession, and then urgently arrested him on charges including violation of the Act on the Protection of Children and Juveniles from Sexual Abuse. On the 11th, they applied for an arrest warrant. The warrant was issued by the court the following day, and Moon was detained.