Police investigate possible additional victim in ex-Cheongju councillor's child prostitution case
While investigating Choi Young-joong over allegations of paying a minor for sex, investigators found images and messages on his phone pointing to another possible minor victim.
Former Cheongju City Council member Choi Young-joong exits the Cheongju District Court after a pretrial detention hearing over alleged sex crimes involving a minor on July 30.NEWS1
CHEONGJU — While investigating allegations that former Cheongju City Council member Choi Young-joong paid for sex with a minor, police uncovered evidence suggesting there may be another minor victim.
The Cheongju Cheongnam Police Station found nude photographs of another woman — who is not the previously identified victim — while conducting a digital forensic examination of Choi's mobile phone, according to a JoongAng Ilbo report on Monday.
The images were reportedly found in messenger conversations exchanged between Choi and the woman. The woman in the photographs was reportedly wearing clothing resembling a school uniform.
Police believe there is a strong possibility that the woman is also a minor. They reportedly halted the forensic examination and obtained a new search and seizure warrant to secure the relevant conversations and other evidence.
“As the investigation is ongoing, we cannot confirm specific details,” a police official said. “We will make every effort during the detention period to strengthen the investigation, prove the allegations and determine whether there were additional offenses.”
Police plan to review the newly obtained materials to determine the nature of the relationship between Choi and the woman and whether any crimes were committed.
Choi is accused of having sex with a middle school student three times over the course of a year, beginning in October 2024, in exchange for money or other valuables. He is also accused of asking the victim to take and send nude photographs. Investigators also allege that he offered the victim more money if the student brought a friend and an older sister, and that he engaged in sexually explicit conversations with the victim.
Rep. Seo Young-kyo, chair of the National Assembly's Legislation and Judiciary Committee, calls for a thorough investigation into former Cheongju City Council member Choi Young-joong, who is accused of paying for sex with a minor, on July 31.NEWS1
Choi has denied the allegations, saying, “I didn't know the person was a minor,” and repeatedly postponed police questioning five to six times beginning around April. During that period, he replaced his mobile phone, which investigators considered key evidence, and was nominated as a city council candidate before winning the June 3 local elections.
Choi also denied the allegations during a second suspect interview on July 27. He reportedly denied other allegations including soliciting prostitution and producing sexually exploitative material.
A court issued a detention warrant for Choi on Thursday and police took him into custody. Police have also obtained warrants for Choi's communications records and bank transaction history from the past year as they continue gathering evidence to support the allegations.
This article was originally written in Korean and translated by a bilingual reporter with the help of generative AI tools. It was then edited by a native English-speaking editor. All AI-assisted translations are reviewed and refined by our newsroom.
