Cheong Wa Dae: Over Half of Prosecutors in the 'Nth Room Case Special Investigation Team' Are Women

On March 25, the vehicle carrying Jo Joo-bin, the operator of the "Doctor's Room," who is accused of producing and distributing sexual exploitation materials of women including minors on the internet messenger Telegram, left the Jongno Police Station in Seoul and headed to the prosecution detention center. Citizens held a picket protest urging severe punishment for Jo Joo-bin. [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Intern Reporter Kim Seul-gi] Kang Jung-soo, head of the Blue House National Petition Digital Communication Center, responded to a petition requesting that the special investigation team for the Telegram sexual exploitation crime 'Nth Room' case be composed of more than 80% women by stating that "more than half of the prosecutors in the special investigation TF established at the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office are women."

On the 22nd, Kang addressed the Blue House National Petition titled "Please form the Telegram Nth Room case special investigation team with more than 80% women investigators led by Prosecutor Seo Ji-hyun," saying, "Prosecutor Seo Ji-hyun is currently participating as the head of the Ministry of Justice's 'Digital Sex Crime Response TF' team."

Kang explained, "The Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office has organized the 'Digital Sex Crime Special Investigation TF' and is conducting strict and focused investigations into the 'Doctor's Room' case and related individuals such as Cho Ju-bin."

He added, "Considering the nature of the case, more than half of the prosecutors in the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office special investigation TF are women. We are making every effort and paying close attention to ensure not only strict punishment for the perpetrators but also to prevent issues such as secondary victimization, which the petitioner is concerned about."

Kang further stated, "Moreover, the prosecution is actively utilizing public defenders and statement assistants to protect victims, and unless the victim wishes to give testimony or it is absolutely necessary, the victim is not re-investigated. To prevent secondary damage, we are fully committed to protecting victims by supporting their 'right to be forgotten' through deletion of illegal recordings, changes of names and resident registration numbers, among other measures."

Earlier, on March 23, a petition titled "Please form the Telegram Nth Room case special investigation team with more than 80% women investigators led by Prosecutor Seo Ji-hyun" was posted on the Blue House National Petition board. The petition received 286,101 signatures.

The petitioner argued, "The highest authority of the special investigation team must be given to women. All tasks involving exposure to sexual exploitation videos should be handled by women investigators. Please actively support so that the case can be started and concluded by women."

The petitioner also emphasized, "Since the hell where 100% of the perpetrators are men has painfully surfaced, if other men have to view their victim videos for investigation, this constitutes secondary victimization of sexual crime victims. Women who can immerse themselves in and focus on the victims, not the perpetrators' psychology, must take on this grave responsibility from the start."

If you are experiencing difficulties due to illegal filming or distribution of photos or videos, threats using such materials, or sexual harassment in cyberspace, you can receive support from the Women's Emergency Call 1366 or the Digital Sex Crime Victim Support Center (02-735-8994).