Police have requested an arrest warrant for former Cheongju City Councilman Choi Young-jung, who is facing charges including the purchase of prostitution from a minor and the production of sexually exploitative materials.

Chungbuk Cheongju Cheongwon Police Station announced today (the 28th) that they have filed for an arrest warrant for former Councilman Choi on charges of statutory rape of a minor and violations of the Act on the Protection of Children and Youths against Sexual Abuse.

Former Councilman Choi is accused of having sexual relations on three occasions with a 13-year-old middle school student whom he met through a mobile chat application over a one-year period starting in October 2024, and demanding that she take and send nude photographs.

He is also accused of offering to pay more money if she brought a friend or older sister, and showing her a video of himself engaging in sexual activity with another woman.

During two previous rounds of suspect questioning, former Councilman Choi claimed, "I did engage in sexual relations, but I did not know she was a minor." However, police believe that circumstances pointing to the destruction of evidence were found in a private forensic report voluntarily submitted by Choi following a police search and seizure.

Furthermore, as former Councilman Choi completely denied the charges during the second summons questioning, police reportedly determined that there is a risk of further evidence destruction and that it is necessary to secure his custody.

(Photo: Yonhap News)