The leader of a large online sexual abuse ring in South Korea has been sentenced to 40 years in prison. Cho Ju-bin, 24, was found guilty by a Seoul court of targeting at least 74 women, including 16 minors, and coercing them into producing degrading sexual images between May 2019 and February this year.
Cho blackmailed his victims into sending violent sexual content, which he distributed and streamed to members of a Telegram chatroom called Baksabang. The court convicted him of violating laws protecting minors from sexual abuse and operating a criminal ring to profit from producing and selling abusive videos.
The judge stated that Cho inflicted irrecoverable damage on many victims by publishing their identities, and noted the gravity of his crimes, the number of victims, and his unrepentant attitude. Cho had claimed he 'cheated' the women but denied blackmail or coercion, forcing some victims to testify.
Cho's arrest in March sparked widespread anger in South Korea, which is grappling with digital sex crimes. Millions signed petitions urging authorities to release his identity and investigate subscribers who paid up to 1.5 million won (£1,014) for the abusive images. Police have arrested over 120 suspects, including 18 chatroom operators.
Prosecutors had sought a life sentence. Cho's lawyers have one week to appeal against the verdict.
