The key accomplice of Cho Ju-bin, the mastermind behind a high-profile online sex crime ring involving the Telegram chatroom "Baksabang," received a heavy prison term.

The Seoul Central District Court on Thursday sentenced Kang Hun, whose online moniker is "Butta," to 15 years in prison for producing and distributing obscene materials, sexual harassment, coercion and blackmail.

In its ruling, the court chastised Kang for forcing women into slavery, harassing them and causing them irreparable damage.

Another accomplice, known by his surname Han, was sentenced to eleven years, after the court said he infringed upon minors' sexual self-determination for the amusement of unspecified masses. Han, however, was acquitted of establishing the criminal organization.

The court also ordered a 40-hour treatment program for both, five years on the public sex offender list and a five-year ban on employment at facilities involving children and the disabled.

Between September and November 2019, Kang colluded with Cho to blackmail 18 victims, including seven minors, into sexual exploitation. He then produced and sold the exploitative material in the "Baksabang" chatroom.

Cho was sentenced to 40 years in prison last November. He has appealed.