[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Hyung-min] The Ministry of Justice has stated that it is "investigating the facts" regarding the controversy over blog posts by Jo Joo-bin, the operator of the 'Baksa Room' who is serving a 42-year prison sentence for producing and distributing child sexual exploitation materials.
On the 23rd, the Ministry of Justice explained regarding the controversy over the blog posts presumed to be by Jo Joo-bin targeting Park Ji-hyun, co-chair of the Democratic Party's Emergency Response Committee, that "the inmate (Jo Joo-bin) is designated as a letter censorship subject and is strictly managed. There has been no fact of photo materials or documents cited in the posts being taken outside through letters sent after going through the censorship process."
However, it added, "Censorship is not possible in cases of sending and receiving letters with legal counsel." It further stated, "The relevant agency is investigating the facts regarding how the materials posted on the blog were obtained and taken out, and if any disciplinary violations are confirmed as a result of the investigation, they will be strictly dealt with according to regulations."
Earlier that day, according to legal circles, a person presumed to be Jo Joo-bin, identified as A, posted a blog entry titled 'Entering Again' on Naver Blog on the 29th of last month.
In the post, A said, "It's me. Long time no see. I haven't been doing so well," and added, "After the blog was blocked, a mass COVID-19 outbreak occurred due to the detention center's failure in quarantine, and I was not able to avoid being affected either." He then posted a personal letter from Jo Joo-bin and stated, "Using the electronic mail system on the Ministry of Justice website, I prohibited receiving a letter from a certain reporter who asked my position on the complete removal of prosecution's investigative authority (Geomsu Wanbak)."
He continued, "This is not under the Myanmar military regime but a free democratic country, so how can this be acceptable? Is a reporter's inquiry about my personal stance on Geomsu Wanbak an evil attempt to undermine correctional rehabilitation?" He complained, "Look at the state where the director, deputy director, manager, and vice principal all approved this. It's just a vague obstruction to reporting, trying to prevent inmates from directly replying to media outlets."
Additionally, A said, "Do you know who the leader of the N Room is? It's Park Ji-hyun, who recently appeared as a surprise savior for the Democratic Party facing a crisis and took the position of co-chair of the Emergency Response Committee," and asked, "How great must her achievements be for 26-year-old Ji-hyun to rise like a rising star in politics? We cannot help but examine the achievements and claims of the tracking team. Shouldn't we verify whether the potential leader who will guide our society was a guardian of justice or a braggart for the sake of our society and all its members?"
"What exactly are the genuine public achievements that Park Ji-hyun and her group have established? Why was Ji-hyun heroized and given a bouquet by Lee Jae-myung behind the backs of investigators? Was it really because Ji-hyun achieved something? Or was it just a desperate action by a presidential candidate trying to stimulate female voters with the N Room issue? Anyone who knows a bit would immediately know the answer," he also wrote.
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