South Korea Investigates Rising Cases of Deepfake Sexual Abuse

South Korea Investigates Surge in Deepfake Sexual Abuse Cases

The South Korean authorities are currently conducting an in-depth investigation into a disturbing rise in sexually explicit images and video clips that have circulated online, shocking the nation. This wave of digital exploitation has led to the detention of seven male suspects, six of whom are teenagers, as confirmed by police on Tuesday.

The investigation was initiated late last month, following reports from local media about the alarming spread of this content, which was generated using deepfake applications. Reports indicate that young men have been unlawfully obtaining social media images of female classmates, teachers, and neighbors. These images were then manipulated to create sexually explicit material, which was subsequently circulated through various chat rooms on the messaging platform Telegram.

This surge in digital sexual abuse has triggered widespread panic among women in South Korea. President Yoon Suk Yeol addressed the issue last week, urging his government to take decisive action against digital sex crimes. “Many of the victims are minors, and most of the perpetrators are teenagers,” Mr. Yoon stated during a cabinet meeting last Tuesday. “They may dismiss their actions as a ‘mere prank,’ but this is unequivocally a criminal act that exploits technology while hiding behind a veil of anonymity.”

This investigation in South Korea comes on the heels of the arrest of Pavel Durov, the founder of Telegram, who was apprehended by French authorities last month. The investigation in France focused on child sexual abuse material, drug trafficking, and fraud linked to the encrypted messaging app. Subsequently, Mr. Durov faced multiple charges, including complicity in facilitating the distribution of child sexual abuse material.

The alarming increase in deepfake incidents in South Korea has garnered significant media attention, particularly after journalists uncovered Telegram channels that featured female university, high school, and middle school students among the victims. This troubling trend highlights the urgent need for stronger protections and regulations against digital exploitation.