'N번방' Jo Joo-bin Undergoes Limb Lengthening Surgery to Reach 170cm Height

164→170cm Height Extension Surgery Fact
Surgery Funded by Father's Implant Treatment Cost
Decision to Commit Crime After Surgery

Operator Jo Joo-bin of the 'Doctor's Room,' accused of producing and distributing sexual exploitation materials of women, including minors, on Telegram [Photo by Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Intern Reporter Kim Nayeon] Jo Joo-bin (26), the perpetrator of an online sex crime case involving the production and distribution of illegal sexual exploitation videos, is known to have undergone 'limb lengthening surgery' to increase his height by 6cm. Jo Joo-bin was sentenced to 42 years in prison by the Supreme Court last year.

According to the crime documentary "Black" aired on Channel A on the 13th, Jo Joo-bin underwent limb lengthening surgery to increase his height from 164 cm to 170 cm before committing the crimes, and the surgery costs were paid using his father's implant treatment expenses.

This information also came from the testimony of someone who claimed to be a schoolmate of Jo Joo-bin during his school days.

Limb lengthening surgery utilizes the principle that new bone forms when a bone is broken, gradually lengthening the legs to increase height. The calf or thigh bones are artificially cut, metal rods are inserted, and a mechanical device is used to slowly extend the bones. Once the desired height is reached, the process is stopped, and rehabilitation is done to strengthen the bones.

This surgery carries a high risk of side effects and is very painful. However, Jo Joo-bin reportedly risked these side effects and underwent the surgery using his father's implant treatment funds to improve his personal complex.

It is said that Jo Joo-bin accessed the highly secure Telegram during the approximately 10-month surgery recovery period. He then decided to commit his first crime. Storyteller Director Jang Jin said, "This limb lengthening surgery was the beginning of the crime."

Jo Joo-bin had previously received a letter of appreciation from the police for helping to catch voice phishing and drug offenders, but while hospitalized, he posted 997 messages on social media about selling firearms and drugs and lured 12 people to defraud 8.66 million won.

At that time, Jo Joo-bin encountered the Nth Room case and, based on the method he used to lure the 12 people, planned to upload illegal videos on Telegram to make money.

Subsequently, he actually threatened women online to produce illegal sexual exploitation videos, then sold them for money, with some victims being minors.

According to the broadcast, Jo Joo-bin threatened female victims using personal information obtained from their ID cards and bankbooks.

Profiler Professor Kwon Ilyong said, "The motivation was probably a desire for recognition," adding, "Helping the police to the extent of receiving a letter of appreciation might have been a preliminary exploration before the main crimes to understand the police investigation methods."

Professor Kwon continued, "In court, Jo Joo-bin said that the 'pose of raising the pinky finger' in each sexual exploitation video was to 'indicate that they were my victims,'" adding, "He felt a sense of superiority by controlling the victims and seemed to think his actions were not crimes but the creation of a new culture."