[Exclusive] 'Gatgat', Missing for a Long Time, Roamed the Streets Until Just Before Arrest

During Active Police Investigation
Acquaintances Spotted Near Residence
Jo Joo-bin Suddenly Decides to Take a Leave of Absence After Arrest

Photo of Moon Hyung-wook (24), the original creator of the 'Nth Room' known as 'GodGod', during his university days (left) and high school graduation photo (right) / Photo by Reader Provided

[Asia Economy Reporters Song Seung-yoon and Lee Jung-yoon] Moon Hyung-wook (24), the first creator of the Telegram 'n-bunbang' whose personal information has been disclosed, appears to have continued his outdoor activities without hesitation until just before being caught by the police.

According to a compilation of Asia Economy's coverage on the 14th, Moon frequently went outside for personal errands or to meet acquaintances until just before his arrest on the 9th. As news of his capture did not surface, some speculated that he might have gone into hiding or fled to evade the police.

Despite the ongoing media reports and the tightening investigation around him, he reportedly lived as usual. He was said to have expressed confidence by repeatedly telling those around him that he "left no traces during the crime." On the 10th of last month, while the investigation was in full swing, Moon even posted a photo on his Facebook account that appeared to be taken at Seoul Station. At that time, he set this photo as his profile picture and boldly posted, "There are a lot of jjang sukja (slang for homeless people) at Seoul Station. I want to sleep. Shall I sleep next to you?"

Near Moon’s residence in Gyeonggi Province, acquaintances have also testified to having seen him. A (24), who attended elementary and middle school with Moon, said, "I recently ran into Moon in front of the neighborhood library, and I saw him with two acquaintances," adding, "They were talking, so I didn’t greet or speak to him separately."

On the other hand, while continuing a normal life, Moon showed signs of anxiety as news of the arrests of those involved in the n-bunbang surfaced. Especially after Jo Joo-bin (24), who operated the ‘Doctor’s Room,’ was arrested, Moon suddenly expressed his intention to take a leave of absence from school just before graduation, as if anticipating his own arrest. It is presumed that he initially had confidence that he would never be caught, but as others who committed similar crimes were arrested one after another, he showed psychological agitation. At that time, Moon had earned 135 out of the 170 credits required for graduation and only needed to complete the remaining credits and his graduation project exhibition to graduate next year. However, after expressing his intention to take a leave of absence, he also cut off contact with the school.

Professor Lee Soo-jung of the Department of Criminal Psychology at Gyeonggi University analyzed, "(Moon) seemed confident that he would not be arrested," adding, "On the other hand, he must have had some anxiety about being caught, but since he knew the police tracking conditions were difficult, that thought probably had a significant effect."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Meanwhile, the police held a briefing that day to disclose Moon’s criminal facts and the circumstances of his arrest. The Gyeongbuk Provincial Police Agency, which has been investigating this case, explained that Moon used social networking services (SNS) to recruit accomplices and instructed them to sexually assault victims, producing and distributing sexual exploitation materials. After identifying Moon’s identity last month, the police obtained a confession from him based on digital evidence they had collected and analyzed. Moon initially denied the crimes during police questioning, claiming he was not ‘Gatgat’ despite having downloaded sexual exploitation materials, but eventually confessed to the entire crime after the police presented the evidence.

The police stated, "We will thoroughly investigate Moon’s additional crimes, accomplices, and criminal proceeds," and added, "We will also do our best to protect victims by collaborating with related agencies to delete and block sexual exploitation materials and connect victims to counseling and protection institutions."