Choi Young-jung, a former Cheongju City Councilor, has been indicted while in custody on charges of engaging in prostitution with minors and producing and distributing exploitative material.
The Cheongju District Prosecutor's Office announced on August 25 that Choi has been charged with statutory rape of minors and violations of the Child and Youth Protection Law, including the production and distribution of exploitative material.
According to the prosecution, Choi is accused of soliciting four minors aged 13 to 18 through a dating chat app from July 2024 to January of this year, requesting and receiving nude photos from them, some of which he shared with acquaintances.
Investigations revealed that Choi had sexual relations with three of the minors in exchange for allowances or gifts. He allegedly encouraged further exploitation by telling victims, "If you bring other minors, I will give you more money," and hinted at group sexual encounters by showing them videos of sexual acts with other women. Evidence shows that he continued to exchange sexual messages with the victims until March, just three months before the local elections.
During the investigation, Choi reportedly denied the charges, claiming he was unaware that the victims were minors.
However, the prosecution concluded that Choi was fully aware of the victims' ages, as the encounters took place near schools and were corroborated by the victims' clothing and messenger conversations.
Through digital forensics on Choi's mobile phone, the prosecution has also secured numerous exploitative materials involving other women, prompting further investigations into additional offenses. They plan to respond strictly to sexual crimes against children and adolescents.
Following the shocking news of a local politician's sexual crimes, online communities and social media have erupted with criticism.
Netizens expressed outrage, questioning, "How can he claim he didn't know the victim was a 13-year-old middle school student he had known for a while?" and stating, "City councilors just cause trouble and waste taxpayer money; I don't understand their purpose." Many are calling for immediate expulsion and the maximum legal penalties if the charges are proven true.
* This article has been translated by AI.
Copyright ⓒ Aju Press All rights reserved.