'Production and Distribution of Child Sexual Exploitation Material' Choi Chan-wook Says "Sentence Is Too Heavy" in Appeal Trial

Threatened 70 Minors to Produce and Distribute Sexual Exploitation Material
After Public Disclosure in June Last Year, Bowed Head Saying "No Expectation of Leniency"

Choi Chan-wook (27), who was sentenced to prison for producing and distributing child sexual exploitation materials, is speaking as he leaves Dunsan Police Station in Daejeon last June for prosecution. / Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Ju-hyung] Choi Chan-wook (27), who was sentenced to prison for producing and distributing sexual exploitation materials involving dozens of minors, has appealed to reduce his sentence.

Choi Chan-wook's lawyer stated at the first hearing of the second trial held on the 30th at the Daejeon High Court Criminal Division 1-1 (Chief Judge Jeong Jeong-mi), "Mr. Choi claims that 'the sentence is too heavy' and argues that the sentencing is unfair," adding, "We ask the second trial court to review this."

On the other hand, the prosecutor from the Daejeon High Prosecutors' Office countered, saying that the sentence was too light considering the crimes committed by Choi Chan-wook, stating, "The first trial did not recognize the habitual nature of the forced molestation charges, but considering the duration of the crimes, this was a misjudgment of the facts."

Choi Chan-wook is accused of threatening 70 male elementary and middle school students from May 2016 to April last year to produce sexual exploitation materials and habitually distributing them.

He produced a total of 6,954 sexual exploitation photos and videos, and it was revealed that he distributed sexual exploitation materials involving 14 victims. He is also accused of visiting the homes of three male elementary school students, luring them outside, and committing acts similar to sexual assault inside his car.

At the time of the crimes, he told the victims that he was a woman or a sexual minority and demanded sexual exploitation videos by saying, "If you send me naked photos, I will send you some too." If they did not comply, he threatened to distribute or inform acquaintances, inducing them to take more severe videos.

The Dunsan Police Station in Daejeon held a personal information disclosure review committee on June 23 last year and unanimously decided to disclose Choi Chan-wook's personal information with all seven attendees voting in favor.

Choi Chan-wook at the time of personal information disclosure / Photo by Yonhap News

The next day, Choi Chan-wook personally removed his mask and glasses and revealed his face in front of the press, bowing his head and saying, "I sincerely apologize to the victims. I am not asking for leniency."

Regarding his motive, he explained, "There are too many posts on social media encouraging perverted obscene acts. I also started out of curiosity after seeing the 'slave and master' game," adding, "I am grateful that adults saved me before it got worse."

However, during the first trial, Choi's side claimed, "The boys themselves produced the sexual exploitation videos," and "Some children even forced me to act out scenarios by suggesting switching roles in the 'slave and master' game."

Meanwhile, the first trial court sentenced Choi Chan-wook to 12 years in prison on December 23 last year. The court also ordered him to wear an electronic monitoring device (electronic anklet) for 10 years, disclose his personal information for 10 years, and restrict employment in child and youth-related institutions for 10 years.

At that time, the court stated, "He repeatedly engaged in sadistic and perverted acts under the guise of a slave role-play and even met some victims in person to commit acts similar to rape," adding, "Nevertheless, the defendant only made excuses and made no effort to restore the victims."

However, some charges, including habitual statutory rape of minors, were acquitted on the grounds that habituality could not be recognized.