Over 100 Pornographic Materials Produced and Over 1,700 Distributed via Telegram
Two Seoul National University graduates were arrested for producing and distributing illegal obscene materials targeting dozens of women, including university alumni.
On the 20th, the Cyber Investigation Division of the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency sent 박 Mo (40) and 강 Mo (31), both Seoul National University graduates, to prosecution custody on charges of editing and distributing false videos under the Sexual Violence Punishment Act on the 11th of last month and the 16th of this month, respectively. Additionally, three men who received and redistributed the obscene materials created by them via Telegram and produced and distributed false videos targeting acquaintances were also handed over to the prosecution this month.
According to the police, 박 has been accused of producing and distributing obscene materials by synthesizing nude photos with graduation photos or social media (SNS) photos of 48 women, including university alumni, from July 2021 until early last month when he was apprehended by the police.
It was confirmed that some of the victims were minors, leading to charges related to possession or distribution of sexual exploitation materials involving children and adolescents (under the Youth Protection Act on Sexual Exploitation Materials of Children and Adolescents). However, it is reported that 박 did not directly produce obscene materials involving minors.
박 was investigated for distributing synthesized obscene materials and victim personal information received from 강 in Telegram chat rooms and for contacting victims by sending messages.
The two were strangers initially, but during the subsequent investigation, it was revealed that they were alumni of Seoul National University. Both are unmarried and currently unemployed.
They committed the crimes together, referring to each other as "one body" and praising each other as "synthesis experts," forming a close bond.
Police investigation revealed that the obscene materials produced and distributed by 박 amounted to approximately 100 and 1,700 cases, respectively.
박 created about 20 group chat rooms, inviting people with similar sexual preferences by sharing chat room links to distribute obscene materials. It is known that some chat rooms had more than 50 participants.
Participants in the chat rooms also filmed and shared videos of themselves performing obscene acts using synthesized photos or videos.
The Seodaemun, Gangnam, and Gwanak Police Stations in Seoul, along with the Sejong Police Station, initially investigated individual complaints filed by some victims who learned of the incidents through direct or indirect contact with 박 but decided to suspend investigations and not prosecute, citing the inability to identify suspects.
However, in December last year, the National Investigation Headquarters of the National Police Agency ordered a reinvestigation of related cases. The Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency's Cyber Investigation Unit resumed the investigation, identified the suspects including 박, apprehended them, and sent them to prosecution.
Another Seoul National University graduate, 한 Mo, who had submitted evidence to the police but was previously not prosecuted, is currently on trial following the Seoul High Court's acceptance of a petition for reconsideration.
A police official explained, "In the previous four investigations, the high anonymity characteristic of Telegram made it difficult to identify suspects," but added, "The National Investigation Headquarters recognized the issues and ordered a reinvestigation. The previous investigations were not inadequate."
He further stated, "The Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency persistently investigated using various investigative techniques and cooperation with the private sector, leading to the difficult apprehension."
The police are continuing to track those who redistributed the obscene materials produced and distributed by 박 and others, while investigating with the possibility of more victims emerging in mind.
Seoul National University has strengthened digital sex crime prevention education and formed a task force (TF) to prepare measures for victim protection and prevention of recurrence.
A Seoul National University official said, "The response is based on the awareness that digital sex crimes can be a problem not only for our school but for everyone," adding, "We are also considering involving students in the TF, subject to consultation with the student council."
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