On the 16th, 'I Want to Know' uncovers the secrets of the operators and sponsors of a sponsorship channel aimed at helping impoverished children in the Philippines.
#The two faces of a donation angel
Since 2023, a Korean named Jung, who has been posting videos of impoverished children in the Philippines who struggle to survive by picking up trash, has moved many people with his efforts to help Filipino children while running a study room. His YouTube channel has gained a good reputation in the country, as people are able to communicate directly with the children who appear in the live videos and sponsor under the pretense of covering living or educational expenses.
However, in June, Jung suddenly appeared in the Filipino news. Known as a good volunteer helping impoverished children, he was arrested by local police. A 14-year-old girl who had often appeared on his YouTube channel gave birth to a child, and it was revealed that the father of the baby was 55-year-old Jung, leading to allegations of sexual violence against a minor.
#The dark shadow of the sponsorship channel
"Literally, it's a 'miracle baby.' Maria (pseudonym) says she hasn't been harmed, but what kind of harm is there?"
- YouTuber Jung
Jung, who claimed he did not commit sexual violence and stated that, according to Filipino law, there was no issue with minors aged 13 or older, noted that he became a father for the first time at the age of 55 and referred to the baby, born healthy after seven months, as a 'miracle baby.' Once a monk and a civic activist, he transformed into a YouTuber supporting impoverished children in the Philippines; how did he end up as a sex offender?
However, as a result of the investigation, it was found that numerous sponsorship channels for Filipino children operated by Koreans existed besides Jung's channel. Filipino girls sing in karaoke or dance suggestively, while middle-aged sponsors give them pocket money, and the girls refer to them as 'oppa' while expressing their gratitude. In the live broadcast, captions and comments sexually harassing the children were also blatantly posted.
#What dangerous desires are being sponsored
"That person's goal is solely 'Angel' (pseudonym). They say they will marry this child."
- Whistleblower
Reports have been received of another case where a child was approached with impure motives, similar to Jung's. Two years ago, a man in his 50s claimed to have met a 13-year-old Filipino child introduced on a sponsorship channel and promised to marry her when she turned 15, after donating a large sum of money each month. What is actually happening in these sponsorship channels for impoverished children?
This week's SBS 'I Want to Know' will be broadcast at 11:10 p.m. on the 16th.
[Photo] SBS
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