Recently, several Telegram chat rooms suspected of creating and distributing deepfake pornographic material using altered photos of ordinary women have been uncovered, sparking widespread fear and outrage across the country. (Image courtesy of Pixabay/CCL)
SEOUL, Aug. 26 (Korea Bizwire) – A disturbing trend of “deepfake” pornography, created by digitally manipulating photos of acquaintances and social media users, has ignited widespread alarm across South Korea, prompting police investigations and raising serious questions about online privacy and digital ethics.
Reports of victims have emerged from over 300 schools nationwide, according to a public account on X (formerly Twitter) that has been instrumental in bringing this issue to light.
The account, which has been collecting and sharing information about the crisis, posted a list on August 26 of schools where students have reportedly fallen victim to this form of digital exploitation.
The perpetrators, communicating through Telegram chat rooms, have allegedly shared and manipulated images not only of classmates and teachers but even family members, transforming innocent photos into pornographic content.
The scope of the problem extends beyond personal acquaintances, with publicly accessible social media accounts becoming a source for images that are then manipulated for nefarious purposes.
As the crisis unfolds, police departments across the country have launched investigations. The Cybercrime Investigation Unit of the Jeonnam Provincial Police Agency is currently tracking two suspects accused of creating and distributing deepfake pornography using photos from Instagram and other social media platforms.
In these cases, the victims discovered the manipulated images of themselves by chance and reported them to the police.
The Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency has received 10 reports involving elementary, middle, and high school students and teachers as victims. They have identified 10 suspects, all over the age of 14, who are currently under investigation.
In Incheon, police are investigating the operators of a Telegram chat room where manipulated images of female students were shared in a university group chat.
The gravity of the situation has led to a climate of fear and anxiety, particularly among students. In Gwangju, although no official reports have been filed, rumors circulating among students have prompted some schools to investigate the validity of these claims.
This composite image acquired by Yonhap News Agency shows screenshots of Telegram chat rooms related to deepfake porn. (Yonhap)
Law enforcement agencies are adopting a zero-tolerance approach to this crime. Under the Act on Special Cases Concerning the Punishment of Sexual Crimes, creating and distributing deepfake pornography can result in up to five years in prison or a fine of up to 50 million won.
If the victim is a minor, penalties increase significantly under the Act on the Protection of Children and Youth, with potential sentences including life imprisonment or a minimum of five years in prison.
The Ministry of Gender Equality and Family is working on measures to support victims by developing systems to delete deepfake pornography when it’s uploaded to illegal filming tracking systems used by investigative agencies.
A spokesperson from the Jeonnam Provincial Police Agency emphasized the severity of the crime, stating, “Creating and distributing deepfake pornography is a criminal act that can result in severe punishment. Even possessing or viewing such material can be punishable by law. We urge everyone to be aware of the seriousness of this issue.”
M. H. Lee (mhlee@koreabizwire.com)
