hankyoreh

Hankyoreh reporters Kim Wan (left) and Oh Yeon-seo (right)

Editor‘s note: “Cyber Hell: Exposing an Internet Horror,” a documentary exploring the Nth Room case, premiered on the global streaming service Netflix on May 18,2022.

“Cyber Hell” examines the cybercrimes committed in the Nth Room through interviews with 24 of the people who investigated it, including journalists, producers and police. Among those providing their vivid recollections for the camera are the members of “Team Flame,” which first investigated the case, as well as Hankyoreh reporters Kim Wan and Oh Yeon-seo, who first reported the story, and members of the police’s cyber investigation team.

As “Cyber Hell” hits screens across the world, we’re bringing back some of the Hankyoreh‘s articles from its special feature on sexual exploitation spreading on Telegram to shine a light on the issue of cyber sex crimes in Korea.

An investigative report on sexual exploitation involving a group chat room on the messaging app Telegram by Hankyoreh reporters Kim Wan and Oh Yeon-seo won the Social Change prize at the 38th Kwanhun Press Awards.

On Dec. 7, the Kwanhun Press Awards judging committee announced the co-selection of two winners of the Social Change prize: the Hankyoreh’s investigative report on sexual exploitation through Telegram, and a Kukmin Ilbo series including the pieces “Nth Room Tracker” and “50 Days after Cho Ju-bin’s Arrest: The Internet Today.”

The committee explained, “With their in-depth reporting on a new form of crime involving cyber-sexual exploitation, which has sent shock waves through South Korean society this year, the Kukmin Ilbo and Hankyoreh have brought digital sexual crimes out of secrecy and into the daylight of public discussion.”

“In recognition of their accomplishment in holding those responsible for these crimes legally accountable and helping to usher in institutional improvements, they have been selected as joint winners in the category of social change,” it said.

This marks the Hankyoreh’s ninth win to date at the Kwanhun Press Awards, as well as the eighth consecutive year since 2013 that it has been honored. The award ceremony is to be held at noon on Dec. 29 at the National Press Club on the 20th floor of the Korea Press Center.

By Lee Jae-hoon, staff reporter

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