[Asia Economy Reporter Seongpil Jo] The prosecution has demanded a life sentence for Jo Joo-bin (24), who was arrested and indicted on charges of producing and distributing sexual exploitation materials in the Telegram 'Baksa Room'.
On the 22nd, at the sentencing hearing held before the 30th Criminal Division of the Seoul Central District Court (Presiding Judge Hyunwoo Lee), the prosecution requested the court to deliver such a sentence, stating, "The victims are tearfully pleading for the defendant to be severely punished." The prosecution also demanded prison terms of 10 to 15 years each for four adult accomplices, including former Geoje City Hall official Cheon Mo (29), and a long-term sentence of 10 years and a short-term sentence of 5 years for the minor 'Taepyeongyang' Lee Mo (16).
The victims urged severe punishment for Jo through a petition submitted via their lawyers, stating, "We must live with unforgettable harm." One victim wrote in the petition, "I laughed bitterly when I saw Jo write in his apology letter that he wants to repay the victims by using the talents he was given," adding, "I don't understand how he intends to cover up this situation with just remorse."
Jo’s defense attorney appealed for leniency, saying, "The social environment that allows such crimes to occur and persist for a long time, and from which benefits can be gained, must also be considered, and Jo should not be held responsible for that environment." He added, "Even if the defendants in this case are punished, those who profit from similar crimes will reappear, and their methods will become more advanced."
In his final statement, Jo shed tears and said, "I cannot excuse or evade my wrongdoing. I must take responsibility and sincerely repent and atone." He added, "The life of the villain Jo Joo-bin is over," and "I want to put an end to the villain and walk the path of repentance."
Other defendants also showed remorse in their final statements, but social service worker Kang Mo (24) was an exception. He said, "I will do my utmost to leave this country and never return alive," adding, "I am ashamed to be a citizen of the Republic of Korea, where dictatorship, exploitation, and deception are rampant."
Jo was arrested and indicted last April on charges of threatening women and selling and distributing sexually exploitative videos filmed from May last year to February this year on the Telegram messenger's 'Baksa Room.' The prosecution additionally indicted him in June this year on charges of organizing a criminal group, believing that Jo organized a criminal organization to produce and distribute a vast amount of sexual exploitation materials.
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