Criticism rises over subway ad on lawyer for sex offenders

Jo Ju-bin, the main operator of a Telegram group chat named “Baksabang” where obscene materials, including those involving children, were produced and distributed, responds to reporters' questions in front of Jongno Police Station in central Seoul, March 25. Korea Times file

By Kim Rahn

A lawyer has caused a stir with an ad in a subway station in southern Seoul publicizing his successful defense of many sex offenders, including one person involved in the notorious Telegram chatroom sexual exploitation scandal.

Facing strong backlash from subway users, Seoul Metro, which is in charge of the space, removed the ad recently.

The lawyer, surnamed Kim, placed the ad in mid-September at Seoul National University of Education Station on lines 2 and 3. The ad showed a photo of Kim's face and cited his handling of many cases involving voyeur videos, sexual harassment and rape, to establish his expertise in defending sex offenders.

He highlighted that he handled cases of possession of child pornography, adding he had an arrest warrant rejected for one of the offenders involved in the “Baksabang” group chat case.

Members of Baksabang produced illegal materials and distributed them through the Telegram platform. The victims were women and girls who were extorted into performing or taking part in degrading and violent acts. Key operators of the group chat as well as several other members who purchased the materials were arrested earlier this year, while some others are under investigation or on trial without detention.

The ad brought criticism for implying the lawyer could help sex offenders, especially those accused of sexually exploiting children, avoid due punishment. Some also pointed out the phrases in the publically displayed ad were highly inappropriate considering many minors also use the subway.

“How come this can be an ad? Helping a criminal get their punishment reduced… who is this ad for?” one blogger wrote.

“This is very uncomfortable. The lawyer and judges are accomplices, and so is Seoul Metro! They have no ability to judge and think and lack gender sensitivity,” another internet user wrote.

Seoul Metro finally removed the ad, Monday, following continuous complaints from citizens. The operator said it would ensure a more thorough review of ad applications through its ad review committee.