Baemin Customer Data Stolen for 'Retaliatory Attacks'... Prosecutors Seek 5-Year Prison Term for Ringleader

Infiltrating Baemin's Subcontractor to Steal Customer Information

Prosecutors: "A Planned Crime... Disrupting the Victims' Peaceful Daily Lives"

Prosecutors have requested prison sentences for a group of individuals who stole customer personal information from Baemin (Baedal Minjok) and carried out retaliatory attacks on behalf of others, such as splashing filth or spray-painting the doors of victims’ homes.

Seoul Southern District Court. Photo by Jiye Lee

During the final hearing held on September 16 at the Seoul Southern District Court under the supervision of Presiding Judge Kim Jooseok of Criminal Division 6, prosecutors requested a five-year prison sentence for Mr. Jeong, the ringleader, who has been indicted and detained on charges of violating the Information and Communications Network Act and the Personal Information Protection Act, among others.

For Mr. Lee, an accomplice who was also indicted and detained, prosecutors sought a six-month prison term for offenses committed before November last year, and an additional four years and six months for crimes committed afterward. For Ms. Yeo, who impersonated a customer service agent for a Baemin outsourcing provider and was indicted without detention, the prosecution demanded three years in prison.

The prosecution stated, “This was a carefully-planned crime where key roles were performed by systematically collecting personal information through methods such as fraudulent employment. Mr. Jeong was actively involved, including making payments to those who carried out the retaliatory acts.” They emphasized that the severity of the crime—which severely harmed the victims’ right to peaceful daily life—was taken into account in the sentencing recommendations.

From last year through early this year, Jeong and others are accused of facilitating personal vendetta attacks, such as throwing filth or scribbling with spray paint on the front doors of targets’ residences in areas including Yangcheon District, Seoul, after receiving anonymous requests via Telegram from unspecified individuals. They have been put on trial on these charges.

During this process, it was discovered that, in order to obtain addresses and other personal information of the targets, Mr. Jeong arranged for Ms. Yeo to gain employment—under false pretenses—as a call center agent for a Baemin outsourcing partner and extract client information. It was confirmed that Jeong also paid those who actually carried out the retaliatory acts, thus directly participating in the crimes.

At the hearing, the defendants admitted to the charges, apologized to the victims, and pleaded for leniency. In his final statement, Mr. Lee said, “I sold valuable personal information while turning a blind eye to the victims’ tears. I feel guilt over the terrible experiences suffered by the victims due to the information I sold.” He added, “I will carry the burden of this crime with me for life and promise never to commit another crime.”

Ms. Yeo claimed that she had taken the call center job at a Baemin outsourcing firm through Mr. Lee’s help due to financial hardship. She pleaded, “I promise never to break the law again and to live without causing harm to anyone.” Mr. Jeong also said, “Under the pretense of running a private investigation business, I stole others’ personal information and committed crimes. I sincerely apologize to the victims and will do my best to make amends.”

Representatives of both Mr. Lee and Mr. Jeong stated that they are in the process of reaching settlements with the victims, and to date, have received statements of no objection to punishment or have reached agreements with 13 and 9 victims, respectively.

The sentencing for the defendants is scheduled to take place at 2 p.m. on the 7th of next month.

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