Cheongju City Council Member Meets Minor via Chat App... Search and Seizure Over 'Child Prostitution Charges'

Evidence Suggests Demands for Production of Sexual Exploitation Materials

The police have launched a compulsory investigation, including conducting a search and seizure, into a Cheongju City Council member who has come under suspicion of engaging in prostitution with a minor.

According to Yonhap News Agency on July 15, Cheongju Cheongwon Police Station sent investigators to the council office, district office, and residence of councilman A, a rookie member of the Cheongju City Council, from 8:30 a.m. for about 45 minutes that day. They secured computers, digital storage devices, and other related materials.

Councilman A is under investigation for allegedly having sexual relations with a minor on three occasions—from October 2024 to May of last year—in places including a vehicle and a motel. The allegations include statutory rape of a minor under the Act on the Protection of Children and Youth Against Sexual Offenses and the production of sexually exploitative materials.

It is reported that councilman A learned of the middle school student through a chat application and offered money or to buy cigarettes for her, demanding sexual relations in exchange.

The police also found indications that councilman A suggested dating to the student and demanded that she take and send nude photos and videos, constituting sexual exploitation materials.

The police began their investigation in March, after receiving a report from the victim's parents, and secured related chat records from the victim's mobile phone. The authorities believe there is a high likelihood that councilman A received exploitative material and carried out the search and seizure to confirm this. However, there is currently no evidence suggesting that councilman A distributed any such material.

Councilman A previously underwent police questioning once in May, when he was a candidate for the Cheongju City Council. At that time, he reportedly stated, "I did not know she was a minor." It is also reported that councilman A had previously been caught for prostitution-related offenses and received a suspension of indictment. The police plan to decide on further action regarding councilman A after analyzing the confiscated materials and confirming the possibility of additional crimes.

In a phone call with Yonhap News Agency, councilman A said, "It has not even gone to trial yet and I feel wronged," adding, "I will explain later." Councilman A was elected as a rookie member of the Cheongju City Council as a member of the People Power Party in the 6·3 local elections.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.