YouTubers to face trial for alleged extortion of mukbang star Tzuyang

Social Affairs

YouTubers to face trial for alleged extortion of mukbang star Tzuyang

Published: 14 Aug. 2024, 15:36

LIM JEONG-WON
lim.jeongwon@joongang.co.kr

Lee Jun-hee, known by his YouTube channel name GooJeYeok, appears before the prosecutors' office as he heads to the Suwon District Court in Gyeonggi, to attend an arrest warrant hearing on July 26. [JOINT PRESS CORPS]

A group of YouTubers accused of aiding and abetting the extortion of tens of millions of won by blackmailing Tzuyang, a mukbang (eating show) YouTuber with more than 10 million subscribers, were taken into custody on Wednesday and are set to face trial.

The "cyber-wrecker" YouTubers allegedly extorted money from Tzuyang, whose legal name is Park Jung-won, by threatening to expose her personal history with her ex-boyfriend.

The Suwon District Prosecutors’ Office arrested and indicted YouTuber GooJeYeok, whose legal name is Lee Jun-hee, on charges of intimidation, coercion and extortion. Another YouTuber, Jeon Guk-jin, was indicted on charges of extortion. Additionally, YouTubers Caracula, whose legal name is Lee Se-wook, and Crocodile, whose legal name is Choi Il-hwan, were indicted without physical detention for aiding and abetting the alleged crimes committed by GooJeYeok and Jeon.

Last February, Lee Jun-hee and Jeon allegedly extorted 55 million won ($40,420) from Park by threatening to reveal details about her private life, including her relationship with her ex-boyfriend and suspicions of tax evasion.

According to the prosecution’s investigation, Lee further pressured Park by claiming that the "cyber-wrecker association has also been informed" about her and that "in order to manage the YouTubers and reporters so that the news is not made public, you have to pay 50 million won."

Lee’s threats began in October 2021 when he warned Park that he would expose videos of her allegedly abusing small business owners. In May of the following year, he demanded that she promote his friend’s restaurant and forced her to film there, threatening to publicize suspicions of tax evasion and other charges if she refused.

Lee Se-wook and Choi Il-hwan assisted Lee Jun-hee in his crimes by suggesting that it would be more profitable to extort money directly rather than uploading a video exposing Park.

In addition, Lee Jun-hee and Lee Se-wook are accused of blackmailing other victims besides Park. They allegedly extorted 22 million won and 30 million won, respectively, from an individual active on the online streaming platform AfreecaTV under the name "Suit," by threatening to expose a coin fraud scheme involving the streamer.

The prosecution began its investigation into these crimes after receiving a complaint against Lee Jun-hee and Jeon on July 16. Park, who had previously revealed that she had been subjected to continuous domestic violence and illegal filming by her ex-boyfriend, who was the CEO of her agency, filed a lawsuit against the YouTube cyber-wreckers, claiming that they had threatened to release details of her private life. The prosecution arrested the suspects 10 days later, on July 26, with Lee Se-wook being arrested on Aug. 2.

According to the prosecution’s investigation, the group bonded through regular meetings and other activities, sharing information in real time after identifying targets through KakaoTalk group chat rooms. In the case of Park, investigators found that the group of YouTube cyber-wreckers shared information in chat rooms and exchanged calls as soon as they received relevant information.

In the process, they allegedly encouraged, advised and coordinated each other’s crimes. The prosecution also believes they systematically attempted to destroy evidence, such as editing call recordings when the investigation was about to begin and immediately disclosed the situation to the media after the investigation commenced so that other accomplices could prepare.

Prosecutors are also investigating additional cases, including the alleged defamation of Park by Lee Jun-hee.

"The defendants acted as 'cyber-wreckers' who produced content about a person's weaknesses or private life under the guise of private investigation and disseminated it on YouTube,” said Hwang Woo-jin, deputy chief prosecutor of the Suwon District Prosecutors' Office, at a briefing on Wednesday. “In addition to advertising revenue from the increase in subscribers, they also committed predatory crimes with a profit model of extortion, such as receiving money in exchange for not exposing weaknesses. We will strictly respond to those who spread malicious content."

Meanwhile, prosecutors have re-solicited an arrest warrant for a lawyer surnamed Choi, whose warrant for blackmailing Park was dismissed on Aug. 2, adding charges of violating the Personal Information Protection Act and leaking business secrets. Choi is accused of extorting 23 million won from Park by blackmailing her and aiding and abetting the use of her personal information by Lee Jun-hee to obtain money.

BY CHO MOON-KYU, LIM JEONG-WON [lim.jeongwon@joongang.co.kr]