1112 Cases Detected, 145 Arrested
About Half of Perpetrators in Their 20s... 21% Are Teens
Police Special Investigation Unit to Operate Until Year-End
Focus on Arresting Paid Members and Possessors of Sexual Exploitation Materials
The Digital Sex Crime Special Investigation Headquarters of the National Police Agency, established in response to the Telegram 'Nth Room' case and others, marked 100 days of operation on the 2nd of this month. The photo shows the plaque unveiling ceremony of the Digital Sex Crime Special Investigation Headquarters on March 25. Photo by Moon Honam munonam@
[Asia Economy reporters Lee Gwan-ju and Song Seung-yoon] Since the 'Telegram n-bang' case, the police have arrested a total of about 1,400 digital sex crime offenders. Among them, more than 1,000 are simple distributors or possessors of illegal obscene materials.
According to the National Police Agency on the 2nd, since the launch of the Special Investigation Headquarters for Digital Sex Crimes in March this year, the police have uncovered 1,112 digital sex crime cases and arrested 1,414 suspects as of the 100th day. Among them, 145 were detained, showing a detention rate of 10.2%. Compared to last year's overall crime detention rate of 1.2% and cybercrime detention rate of 2.2%, the number of detentions has significantly increased in line with the strict response policy toward digital sex crimes.
By case type, there were three cases where victims were threatened or coerced to systematically produce and distribute sexual exploitation materials, including the 'n-bang', 'Doctor's Room', and 'Project N-bang'. In addition, there were 622 cases of individuals producing, possessing, or distributing sexual exploitation materials, and 472 cases of distributing other digital sex crime materials such as deepfakes or illegal recordings. By act, 281 people were involved in producing sexual exploitation materials, 474 were distributors, and 626 were simple possessors. Combining distributors and possessors, the number reaches 1,100. Additionally, 33 people were involved in crimes through threats or other means, even if they did not produce, distribute, or possess sexual exploitation materials.
Regarding the age groups of offenders, those in their 20s were the largest group with 591 people (46%), but minors in their teens also accounted for 442 people (21%). Notably, among the teens, 30 were detained, indicating many cases of severe offenses. Conversely, among 660 victims whose identities were confirmed by the police, 408 (62%) were teenagers, accounting for more than half. This indicates that malicious sexual exploitation was carried out through methods such as threatening minors.
With most of the main operators and accomplices of Telegram sexual exploitation chat rooms such as n-bang and Doctor's Room being prosecuted or transferred, the major investigations are somewhat concluding. Currently, eight main accomplices of Doctor's Room have already been prosecuted. On the 22nd of last month, the prosecution designated 38 Doctor's Room members as a 'criminal group' and initially indicted eight people, including operator Jo Joo-bin (24), on charges of organizing a criminal organization. Among the main perpetrators and accomplices, the 'Wanjang-bang' operator 'Chester' and Doctor's Room accomplice 'Samagwi' have not yet been arrested.
Now, the focus of related investigations is expected to shift toward arresting paid members and simple participants. The police have identified 840 suspects possessing sexual exploitation materials, mainly paid purchasers. The police plan to continue investigations into participants until the end of the year. However, as with previously arrested key suspects, it will be necessary to identify those with charges and confirm each charge through compulsory investigations, so this process is expected to be challenging.
Meanwhile, on the 26th of last month, A (22), who conspired with accomplice Ahn Seung-jin (25) of n-bang operator Moon Hyung-wook (24) to produce and distribute child sexual exploitation materials, was detained. Subsequently, on the 30th, a man in his 20s who possessed and redistributed sexual exploitation materials produced by Jo Joo-bin and Moon Hyung-wook was detained. This is the first case of a simple redistributor being detained, aside from accomplices or paid members. It demonstrates the police's strong determination to eradicate digital sex crimes.
The day before, many paid members of the so-called 'Pikachu-bang', who downloaded redistributed Doctor's Room sexual exploitation materials, were also arrested in large numbers, showing that participants involved in this case are being apprehended one after another.
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