'Baksa Bang' Jo Joo-bin Appeals... "Considering Merger with Crime Proceeds Concealment Case"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Seongpil Cho] Jo Joo-bin, the operator of the Telegram 'Baksa-bang' who was sentenced to 40 years in prison in the first trial for distributing sexual exploitation materials, filed an appeal on the 1st.

According to the legal community on the day, Jo's lawyer submitted a notice of appeal to the first trial court, the Seoul Central District Court Criminal Division 30 (Chief Judge Lee Hyun-woo). Jo's lawyer explained, "The appeal was filed to consolidate with the separate trial regarding the crime of concealing criminal proceeds."

Previously, Jo was arrested and indicted in April on charges of threatening women from May last year to February this year to film sexual exploitation videos and selling and distributing them on the Telegram 'Baksa-bang'. The prosecution additionally indicted him in June this year on charges of organizing a criminal group, stating that Jo organized a criminal group and produced and distributed a vast amount of sexual exploitation materials.

The first trial court recognized all of Jo's charges as guilty and sentenced him to 40 years in prison at the sentencing hearing on the 26th of last month. The court also ordered the disclosure and notification of personal information for 10 years, employment restrictions for 10 years, attachment of an electronic tracking device (electronic anklet) for 30 years, and confiscation of about 100 million won. At that time, the court stated regarding Jo, "Considering the seriousness of the case, the number of victims and the extent of damage, and the social harm caused by the crime, it is necessary to strictly punish and isolate him from society."

Separately, Jo was additionally indicted in October on charges including concealing criminal proceeds and is currently undergoing a first trial. He is accused of hiding profits of about 108 million won through 53 transactions by receiving criminal proceeds from Baksa-bang in cryptocurrency and exchanging them. The first hearing was held on the 12th of last month, and the second hearing is scheduled for January 14 next year.