The 'Digital Prison' website that disclosed personal information such as photos and real names of heinous criminals including sex offenders. Photo by 'Digital Prison' website capture
[Asia Economy Intern Reporter Kim Bong-ju] As the 'Digital Prison' site, which has disclosed the personal information of individuals who have sparked social outrage, continues to operate, controversy over vigilante justice surrounding the service is intensifying.
In particular, the controversy has grown stronger as the site recently posted the personal information of the 'three perpetrators' pointed out by athlete Choi Sook-hyun, as well as Son Jung-woo, who operated a child sexual exploitation site.
The site called 'Digital Prison,' which opened last month, has consecutively revealed the personal information of the so-called perpetrators related to athlete Choi, including the 'team doctor,' Kim Kyu-bong, the coach of the Gyeongju City Triathlon Team, and two senior athletes.
Although none of these individuals have had their faces revealed through the media, the Digital Prison site has posted their photos, names, and mobile phone numbers.
Especially prevalent are details related to sex crimes, including the personal information of Son Jung-woo, the operator of the child sexual exploitation site 'Welcome to Video,' whom the court decided not to extradite to the United States.
The site also contains information on socially high-profile cases, such as Moon Hyung-wook, whose face was revealed by the police for operating the so-called n-room, a platform for sharing videos of minor sexual exploitation, his accomplice Ahn Seung-jin, Shim (last name withheld), who is accused of verbally abusing and assaulting security guard Choi Hee-seok to death, and Sung (last name withheld), who locked his stepson in a travel bag leading to his death. Their photos, names, and home addresses are all disclosed.
While users have expressed positive reactions to the site, stating that perpetrators should suffer, there are also opinions that publicly disclosing the personal information of individuals whose sentences have not yet been finalized, despite the possibility of rehabilitation, is an excessive measure.
As of the morning of this day, the site has disclosed information on a total of 151 individuals.
The operator explained the reason for establishing the site, stating, "We feel the limits of lenient punishments for malicious criminals in the Republic of Korea, and we intend to directly disclose their personal information to subject them to social judgment."
They added, "Due to the judiciary's slap-on-the-wrist punishments, criminals are evolving and leveling up. We aim to comfort victims through the punishment criminals fear most, which is the disclosure of personal information."
The operator also announced, "The disclosure period for all criminals' personal information is 30 years, and their current status is updated regularly. Freedom of expression is 100% guaranteed, so please feel free to write comments and posts."
Meanwhile, the site not only announces trial schedules related to sex offenders but also discloses the personal information of 10 judges who faced controversy over 'slap-on-the-wrist punishments' for giving low sentences to sex offenders.
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