[Korea View] Pastor’s Room: 5 Years
Three Times Nth Room Victims
In South Korea, the recent revelation of a Telegram-based sex crime ring known as the “Pastor’s Room” has reignited concerns over digital sexual exploitation. Many are asking how such a large-scale operation—spanning nearly five years—remained under the radar. According to data collected from multiple news sources (CSV data included), the group’s total victim count reached 234, with 159 of them being minors. This number alone is three times larger than the infamous Nth Room case, underscoring the severity of the situation.
As reported, the individual leading this criminal network referred to himself as a “pastor” and established a structure called the “vigilante group” or “자경단.” Within this group, members were assigned ranks such as deacon or evangelist, creating an internal hierarchy that enabled organized exploitation. Victims were coerced into producing sexual content and, in some cases, forced into actual sexual encounters under the guise of so-called “graduation” from the chat rooms. The psychological manipulation was so severe that some victims mention ongoing trauma, fearing unknown phone calls or messages might be from the group.
Law enforcement officials have stated that tracking suspects who leverage anonymized channels like Telegram is challenging, but collaboration with the platform eventually enabled investigators to locate the main perpetrator and bring him into custody. His attempt to legally oppose the public disclosure of his identity was dismissed, reflecting the gravity of the crime and public interest in transparency.
In light of this, experts in digital forensics and victim advocacy stress the need for more robust laws and real-time monitoring systems to prevent such organized online exploitation. While the arrest of this “pastor” figure brings some relief, the scars left on hundreds of victims cannot be easily erased. It is hoped that the public outcry surrounding this case will prompt further action—from legislative reforms to expanded victim support services—ultimately making digital spaces safer for everyone.
This article was assisted by AI to incorporate verified data and recent news accounts in a structured manner.
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