Teacher involved in 'n번방' case too... Public demand for "Reveal identities" resurges

Investigation of 4 Teachers Suspected of Involvement in Telegram Sexual Exploitation 'n-bunbang'
Citizens Demand "Full Disclosure of Personal Information of All 'n-bunbang' Participants"
Police Identify Personal Information of About 280 Free Members of 'Baksabang'

On March 25, as the vehicle carrying Jo Joo-bin, the operator of the 'Baksa Room' accused of producing and distributing sexual exploitation materials involving women including minors, left the Jongno Police Station in Seoul and headed to the prosecution detention center, citizens held a picket protest demanding severe punishment for Jo Joo-bin. Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Ga-yeon] As it was revealed that four teachers were involved in the so-called 'n번방' case, where minors and others were threatened on Telegram to produce and distribute sexual exploitation materials, calls are growing to disclose the personal information of all n번방 members.

According to data received on the 15th by Lee Tan-hee, a member of the National Assembly's Education Committee from the Democratic Party of Korea, from the Ministry of Education and metropolitan/provincial education offices, a total of four teachers from Incheon, Chungnam, and Gangwon are under investigation for joining 'n번방', 'Doctor's Room', and other channels and receiving child sexual exploitation materials.

They were identified as three full-time teachers?one from a high school and a special school in Chungnam, one from an elementary school in Gangwon?and one contract teacher working at an elementary school in Incheon. All four were found to have served as homeroom teachers. The three full-time teachers have been suspended from their positions, and Mr. D reportedly resigned on June 24, five days before the investigation notification.

Teacher A from an elementary school in Gangneung, Gangwon Province, is suspected of depositing 200,000 won into a seller's bank account after seeing a post about selling sexual exploitation materials on the Telegram 'n번방 video' channel in January, then receiving and possessing a Google Drive link containing child sexual exploitation materials.

Teacher B from a special school in Cheonan, Chungnam, is accused of accessing the membership-based 'Heukakgwan' site, depositing money through a virtual account, and downloading and possessing 1,125 sexual exploitation materials. Teacher C from a high school in Asan, Chungnam, is suspected of downloading 210 sexual exploitation materials from the cloud via the Telegram 'Hoippu Room'. Teacher D, a contract teacher at an elementary school in Incheon, is accused of paying an entrance fee to access 'Doctor's Room' and possessing sexual exploitation materials.

As these facts have come to light, public opinion demanding the disclosure of all buyers' personal information is spreading again. It is argued that, given the nature of crimes committed via Telegram, purchasing these materials constitutes participation in sexual exploitation and sexual violence. It is also pointed out that after purchase, downloading and sharing led to the spread and reproduction of victim videos.

Since it is not easy to enter these rooms by ordinary means?such as finding or receiving links to specific chat rooms and paying virtual currency to the administrators?it is viewed as intentional entry for sharing sexual exploitation materials, and there are calls for strong punishment.

On March 25, as the vehicle carrying Jo Joo-bin, the operator of the 'Baksa Room' accused of producing and distributing sexual exploitation materials involving 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 demanding severe punishment for Jo Joo-bin. Photo by Yonhap News

There are also concerns that among the unidentified participants, there may be individuals in professions closely related to children, such as teachers and academy instructors.

A 26-year-old office worker A said, "It is unacceptable that criminals who committed crimes like the n번방 case can live normally. They are criminals who consumed videos knowing they were exploitation and crimes," adding, "Since countless victims have been produced, strong punishment is necessary."

A added, "Of course, criminal punishment is needed, but they should also receive social punishment through disclosure of their identities," and "We need to show that committing such crimes means you cannot live openly."

A 50-year-old housewife B said, "It is horrifying that among the participants in sexual crimes against minors, there are teachers who educate children," and pointed out, "Among undisclosed members, there must be people with jobs involving contact with children, such as school staff, teachers, or professors, so their faces and names should be disclosed so that people around them can be aware."

She added, "If I think that such a person is next to my children, it would be truly terrifying and unbearable."

A 21-year-old university student C also said, "Regardless of profession, the identities of all participants should be disclosed. Of course, if a teacher who guides children or students is found to be involved, additional measures such as employment bans are necessary," and argued, "All participants should be defined as sex offenders and their identities disclosed. Without such measures, how can ordinary citizens live in peace?"

Assemblyman Lee said, "This is the first time since the n번방 case became a social issue that teachers' involvement has been revealed," and urged, "A thorough investigation should be conducted to see if there are more involved teachers, and strict punishment commensurate with the severity of child sex crimes must follow," calling for investigation and punishment of n번방 participants.

Meanwhile, the police have identified the identities of 280 free members of the Telegram 'Doctor's Room' and launched an investigation.