"I'll Show You a Video"... Former City Council Member Accused of Additional Child Prostitution Offenses

Forced Victim to Watch Videos He Filmed
Police Investigating for Additional Victims

Additional allegations have surfaced against former Cheongju City Council member Youngjoong Choi, who resigned just 16 days after taking office amid a police investigation into sexual offenses against minors.

According to a report by Yonhap News TV on July 25, police confirmed that Choi had forced the child victim to watch videos he filmed of himself engaging in sexual acts with other individuals. The police are currently investigating whether there are any additional victims related to the individuals appearing in these videos.

Former Cheongju City Councilor Youngjoong Choi, accused of child prostitution. Election Commission

Choi is under investigation on charges of violating the Act on the Protection of Children and Youth from Sexual Offenses, among other allegations. He is accused of having sex with and producing sexual exploitation material involving a female middle school student whom he met via a chat application, offering her money or cigarettes, from around October 2024 for approximately one year.

The police have also identified that Choi asked the victimized student to introduce him to her friends, and are expanding the investigation to determine if there are further victims. They have secured three mobile phones related to Choi—two seized and one voluntarily submitted—and are conducting digital forensic analysis on these devices.

To uncover any additional offenses, the police requested a communications warrant covering one year from the prosecution. However, the prosecution rejected the request, stating that there was insufficient evidence to suggest the crimes targeted unspecified children or teenagers.

Controversy has arisen from the revelation that Choi not only received approximately 2.3 million won in council salary and allowances during his tenure, but also reportedly applied for a reimbursement of about 40 million won in election campaign expenses.

On July 20, the Cheongju City Council paid Choi a pre-tax total of around 2.3 million won, consisting of a 770,000 won activity allowance and a 1.53 million won monthly salary. This amount was prorated for the period from July 1 to July 16 during which Choi was in office. The council explained that, although Choi did not undertake substantial council activities during his tenure, current regulations did not provide a legal basis to withhold the payment.

The relevant city ordinance stipulates that council members who are detained as a result of being charged are not entitled to receive activity allowances or monthly salaries. However, as Choi resigned voluntarily without being arrested or formally indicted, he was not subject to these restrictions.

It has also been reported that Choi filed a claim with the Election Commission for reimbursement of approximately 40 million won in election campaign expenses. Under current election law, unless the reimbursement is related to specific violations involving political funds or similar acts, the fact that a member is under investigation for sexual offenses or has voluntarily resigned does not by itself disqualify them from receiving such reimbursement.

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