Cheon Mo and 3 Adult Accomplices Sentenced to 10-17 Years Imprisonment
'Taepyeongyang' Lee Mo-gun Receives 10 Years Long-Term, 5 Years Short-Term
Jo Joo-bin Appeals, "Earnestly Requesting a Chance for Reflection"
[Asia Economy Reporter Cho Seong-pil] The prosecution has demanded a life sentence again in the appellate trial for Jo Joo-bin (25, currently incarcerated), who was indicted for producing child and adolescent sexual exploitation videos and distributing them on the Telegram 'Baksa Bang'.
On the 4th, at the Seoul High Court Criminal Division 9 (Presiding Judge Moon Gwang-seop), during the closing arguments for Jo and others, the prosecution called it an "unprecedented crime" and made the same sentencing request as in the original trial. The prosecution also requested the court to order the attachment of an electronic location tracking device (electronic anklet) for 45 years and a fine of about 108 million won.
The prosecution stated, "Jo was only eager to downplay or evade the crime even in court, and it was hard to see any sincere remorse for the suffering victims," adding, "Seeing Jo testify as if he were the victim in court only brought a hollow laugh from the investigating prosecutor." They urged the court for severe punishment, saying, "Due to the nature of digital sex crimes, it is impossible to know when or if the consequences of the criminal acts will end, and victims suffer immeasurable damage."
Jo's defense attorney, in the final argument, said, "The defendant admits most of the charges and is deeply remorseful," and added, "Even five months after the original trial concluded, he is still making efforts to secure additional funds to restore the victims." He appealed, "Please consider the defendant's growth process, family environment, motive for the crime, and all possibilities for rehabilitation to impose an appropriate sentence."
In his final statement, Jo said, "I take full responsibility for all results and processes," and "All that remains is the hope for atonement." He continued, "Although I am currently recorded as an individual who committed evil deeds, I will strive to be remembered in the future as someone who knew how to repent at the end of life," and tearfully pleaded, "Please grant me a realistic time not only to end as a precedent of evil but also to be reborn as a precedent of repentance."
The prosecution demanded prison terms of 10 to 17 years for four adult accomplices, including former Geoje City Hall official Cheon Mo, who were indicted alongside Jo, and a long-term sentence of 10 years and a short-term sentence of 5 years for the minor 'Taepyeongyang' Lee Mo. The appellate sentencing hearing for these individuals will be held at 2 p.m. on June 1.
Jo and others were indicted for threatening dozens of victims, including minors, over about ten months from May 2019, to film sexual exploitation videos and sell and distribute them on Telegram's Baksa Bang. Subsequently, the prosecution additionally indicted Jo and key members on charges of organizing and operating a criminal organization.
The previous first trial court recognized all charges as guilty except for parts dismissed due to agreements with victims and sentenced Jo to 40 years in prison. Separately, Jo was sentenced to an additional 5 years in prison in the first trial for hiding criminal proceeds, totaling 45 years in prison.
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
