On the 24th, Choi Chan-wook responded to reporters' questions as he left the Daejeon Dunsan Police Station. On the same day, Choi was sent to the prosecution on charges of violating the Act on the Protection of Children and Adolescents Against Sexual Abuse. Photo by Yonhap News
[Asia Economy (Daejeon) Reporter Jeong Il-woong] "I started out of curiosity after seeing many people playing slave and master games online."
Choi Chan-wook (26), who is accused of sexually assaulting minors and producing and distributing sexual exploitation materials, made this statement on the 24th while revealing his face at the Daejeon Dunsan Police Station.
Choi was publicly identified as a suspect following a decision by the police personal information disclosure review committee, and his face was revealed in the detention center of Daejeon Dunsan Police Station before being sent to the prosecution that day.
At this occasion, Choi said, "I sincerely apologize to the victims," and "I am grateful that adults saved me before things got worse."
Regarding the criminal charges, he stated, "I started this out of curiosity five years ago after seeing people playing slave and master games online on platforms like Twitter," and expressed, "I do not seek leniency and have no grievances."
Initially, Choi left the detention center wearing a mask. However, during the process of conveying his feelings about the charges, he voluntarily removed the mask.
He also said, "I am thankful that there are people who respect someone like me," and "I will sincerely cooperate with the investigation," before boarding the escort vehicle.
Choi was arrested on the 16th on charges of approaching about 60 boys aged 11 to 13 from May 2016, producing sexual exploitation materials, and downloading and storing obscene materials featuring minors online.
The police estimate that the sexual exploitation materials Choi has stored so far amount to 6,954 items, including 3,841 photos and 3,703 videos. Some of these were found to have been directly distributed online by him.
Meanwhile, this is the first time that the Daejeon Police Agency has publicly disclosed a suspect's identity under the Special Act on the Punishment of Sexual Crimes.
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