Jo Joo-bin Sentenced to 4 Months in Prison in Second Trial for Forced Molestation... Additional to 42-Year Sentence

Jo Joo-bin (26), who was sentenced to 42 years in prison for operating the Telegram 'Baksa Room' and producing and distributing sexual exploitation materials, was sentenced to an additional 4 months in prison in the appeal trial for the charge of forced molestation. If the verdict is finalized, Jo will serve a total of 42 years and 4 months in prison.

On the 7th, the Criminal Appeals Division 1-3 of the Seoul Central District Court (Presiding Judges Kim Hyung-jak, Im Jae-hoon, Kim Soo-kyung) dismissed the appeals filed by both Jo and the prosecution in the appeal trial for forced molestation charges and upheld the first trial's sentence of 4 months imprisonment. The court also sentenced Jo's accomplice Kang Hoon (21), who was indicted together with Jo, to 4 months in prison, the same as the first trial. The court maintained the order for both individuals to complete a 40-hour sexual violence treatment program and the restriction on employment at child and youth-related institutions for 3 years.

Jo Joo-bin, the operator of the 'Doctor's Room' who threatened dozens of women including minors on the internet messenger Telegram and forced them to film obscene materials which were then distributed, is coming out of Jongno Police Station in Seoul on March 25, 2020, to be sent to the prosecution. Photo by Moon Honam munonam@

The court explained the reason for dismissing the appeals, stating, "Considering the irreparable damage suffered by the victims due to the crimes in this case, the sentencing in the original trial does not deviate from a reasonable range," and "No new evidence has been submitted to change the sentence."

The two were additionally indicted in April 2021 for threatening three female victims in 2019 to take nude photos and sending them. Kang has denied the charges, claiming he never conspired with Jo, and Jo has insisted that he acted alone.

However, the court judged, "Kang was fully aware that Jo was threatening victims to produce sexual exploitation videos, yet he did not withdraw from the conspiracy, instead reinforcing Jo's crimes and assisting by exchanging the profits."

Jo was prosecuted in June 2020 for threatening dozens of female victims, including children and adolescents, from May 2019 to February 2020 to produce sexual exploitation materials and selling and distributing them through the 'Baksa Room' (violations of the Child and Youth Protection Act, forced molestation, fraud, etc.), and the Supreme Court confirmed his 42-year sentence the following year.

Kang, who was in charge of operating and managing the Baksa Room and was called 'Buddha,' was sentenced to 15 years in prison and is currently serving his sentence.

Kang Hoon, known as 'BooTta,' the co-operator of the Telegram 'Doctor's Room' along with Jo Joo-bin, is being transferred to the prosecution from Jongno Police Station in Seoul on April 17, 2020, and is moving to the escort vehicle. Photo by Kang Jin-hyung aymsdream@