Seoul: A South Korean court has sentenced Kim Nok-wan, the ringleader of a Telegram-based sex crime ring, to life imprisonment for the sexual exploitation of 261 individuals, including minors.

According to Anadolu Agency, the 33-year-old Kim was charged with orchestrating and participating in the crime ring known as "The Vigilantes." His offenses included producing and distributing sexually exploitative videos, coercing victims using these videos, and committing quasi-rape. In addition to the life sentence, the Seoul Central District Court mandated the disclosure of Kim's personal information on digital networks for a decade.

Kim's sentencing also includes a 10-year restriction on employment and a 30-year requirement to wear an electronic monitoring device. The court's decision follows Kim's operation of the crime ring from May 2020 to January 2025, during which he sexually assaulted children and teenagers while masquerading as a "pastor."

The crime ring also engaged in blackmail, coercing men and women into providing nude photographs that were used to create and disseminate sexually exploitative content.