[Asia Economy Reporter Song Seung-yoon] The court has made a different ruling this time regarding the arrest warrant requested by the police, which applied charges of joining a criminal organization to paid members of the Telegram 'Baksa Room'.
On the 3rd, Kim Dong-hyun, the chief judge in charge of warrants at the Seoul Central District Court, dismissed the arrest warrant after conducting a pre-arrest detention hearing (warrant substantive examination) for Nam Mo (29), an accomplice of 'Baksa Room' operator Jo Joo-bin (24, detained and indicted).
Judge Kim stated, "There is room for dispute regarding some of the charges, including joining a criminal organization."
He also mentioned, "Considering Nam's fixed residence and occupation, the progress of the investigation, and his attitude during testimony, it is difficult to see any risk of flight or evidence tampering."
Nam is charged with joining a criminal organization and violating the Act on Special Cases Concerning the Punishment, etc. of Sexual Violence Crimes, for acting as a paid member of 'Baksa Room', luring victims himself, and participating in the production of sexual exploitation materials by Jo Joo-bin. He is also accused of threatening victims by imitating Jo Joo-bin's crimes.
The police investigating the paid members of 'Baksa Room' who participated in Jo Joo-bin's crimes have applied the charge of joining a criminal organization to suspects among the paid members who are recognized to have actively cooperated or participated in the crimes.
On the 25th of last month, two paid members were arrested for the first time on charges of joining a criminal organization as participants in the production and distribution of sexual exploitation materials.
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