#BornIn2009 #ElementaryStudent... Men Who Sexually Exploited 133 Minors

Demanding Nude Photos After Online Grooming via Chat
Gangwon Police Agency Arrests 2, Detains 8 Without Arrest... Further Investigation Underway

Ten suspects who deliberately approached children and adolescents through social networking services (SNS), formed close relationships, and repeatedly produced sexual exploitation materials by receiving nude photos were arrested in a large-scale operation.

According to a Yonhap News report on the 9th, the Gangwon Provincial Police Agency arrested two individuals in their 20s, including Mr. A, on charges of violating the Act on the Protection of Children and Juveniles Against Sexual Abuse. Additionally, eight suspects in their teens to 30s were sent to the prosecution without detention on the same charges.

They are accused of intentionally approaching 133 victims who were elementary, middle, and high school students from January last year to last month, requesting photos of specific body parts or filming videos simulating sexual acts or similar behaviors, and then receiving these materials.

Police investigations revealed that the suspects searched hashtags such as '09nyeon' (birth year 2009), 'chodong' (elementary school student), and 'momsa' (nude photos) on SNS to deliberately approach victims. They then initiated one-on-one chats saying "Let's be close," forming intimacy or using persuasion and threats, engaging in so-called 'online grooming' to commit these crimes.

The photo is not related to the specific content of the article.

In February, the police began investigating after receiving a tip that "sexual exploitation materials are being produced on SNS." They requested international cooperation from overseas IT companies and tracked IP addresses through raids on 74 locations including domestic telecommunications companies and SNS platforms. As a result, the suspects' identities were identified, and they were apprehended between March and May. It is known that the suspects did not know each other at the time of the crimes.

Some of the suspects initially denied the crimes with false claims such as "My ID was stolen," but eventually admitted to their charges. To prevent secondary damage, the police seized 18,329 sexual exploitation files, blocked 1,361 accounts related to illegal content, and arranged psychological treatment at the Smile Center, a crime victim support center, for victims who attempted extreme self-harm.

A police official stated, "To eradicate sexual exploitation crimes against children and adolescents, we will strengthen SNS monitoring and the collection of victim intelligence, and continue cooperation with related organizations such as the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family. We plan to deploy specialized investigative personnel for digital sex crimes and respond strictly to offenses." The official also urged, "We ask families to pay close attention to their children and regularly check their smartphone usage."