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Deepfake Porn Epidemic in South Korea Sparks Gender Conflict and Trauma
Deepfake porn epidemic in South Korea causing trauma and gender conflict. Recent law amendment criminalising deepfake porn possession. Majority of suspected perpetrators are teenage boys targeting female acquaintances.
A 30-year-old South Korean woman, who remains anonymous due to privacy concerns, continues to suffer from trauma three years after being bombarded with fake nude images online. The victim has expressed how the nightmare has had a significant impact on her ability to interact with men and even use a mobile phone.
Non-consensual deepfake videos and images have become increasingly prevalent in South Korea, prompting many women to share their harrowing experiences. The parliament recently amended the law to make viewing or possessing deepfake pornographic content a criminal offence.
The majority of the suspected perpetrators in South Korea are teenage boys who frequently target female peers, relatives, and acquaintances. This trend not only raises concerns about the efficacy of school programs, but it also exacerbates the already significant gender divide in society. The impact on young girls has been especially distressing, with many feeling uneasy and suspicious of their male classmates.
The increase in explicit deepfake content in South Korea has prompted a crackdown by law enforcement, with over 387 people arrested this year for alleged deepfake crimes, the majority of whom are teenagers. The Education Ministry also stated that approximately 800 students have reported incidents of intimate deepfake content involving themselves.
Experts argue that South Korea is especially vulnerable to deepfake pornography due to widespread smartphone use, insufficient sex education in schools, and a culture that objectifies women. Victims have shared their stories of immense suffering, with some resorting to drastic measures such as suicide attempts to escape the agony caused by explicit deepfake videos.
The deepfake problem in South Korea has attracted international attention, with the country identified as a prime target for deepfake pornography. The lack of stringent regulations, as well as the prevalence of misogynistic attitudes, all contribute to the continuation of this harmful trend.
In a recent parliamentary session, lawmaker Kim Nam Hee shared a harrowing story about an anonymous victim who attempted suicide to escape the agony caused by explicit deepfake videos created without her permission. Former opposition party leader Park Ji-hyun also spoke about another victim's trauma, who ended up in the emergency room after being targeted with sexually abusive deepfake images and threats by perpetrators.
The distressing impact of deepfake content was highlighted by the story of a 30-year-old woman whose doctoral studies in the United States were halted for a year due to panic disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder, both diagnosed in 2022.
Authorities have taken action, detaining five men who were involved in the production and distribution of fake explicit material featuring approximately 20 women, including the aforementioned victim. Surprisingly, all of the victims were graduates of Seoul National University, a prestigious institution in South Korea. The perpetrators, some of whom were former university peers, harassed the victims with manipulated images and naked photos of strangers.
The victim described feeling deeply humiliated and violated by the crude and distressing fake images that circulated on messaging platforms. The ordeal has left her hesitant to trust others, fearing that even seemingly ordinary people could commit such malicious acts behind her back.
Critics argue that authorities have not done enough to combat online sexual exploitation, citing the prevalence of digital crimes such as deepfake pornography. Despite an increase in online sex crimes, such as spy cam videos and blackmail rings, there is a perceived lack of stringent measures to combat the problem.
ReSET, a monitoring organisation, highlighted the growing trend of male juveniles consuming deepfake porn for entertainment, emphasising the critical need for stronger penalties to deter digital sex crimes. The group's findings revealed an alarmingly high number of sexually exploitative content circulating online, indicating the severity of the problem.
In response to the escalating crisis, lawmakers are under pressure to impose harsher penalties on those involved in deepfake crimes. However, judicial leniency, which is frequently granted to first-time offenders or those expressing remorse, has resulted in a significant number of people avoiding imprisonment for their crimes.
The prevalence of deepfake pornography and its negative effects on victims has exacerbated South Korea's already-existing societal challenges, such as gender disparities, workplace discrimination, and social pressures on men and women alike. Individuals like 25-year-old office worker Kim Chae-won and 17-year-old high school student Kim Haeun have experienced emotional tolls that reflect a broader sense of fear and vulnerability among women in the country.
Deepfake porn epidemic in South Korea causing trauma and gender conflict
Recent law amendment criminalising deepfake porn possession
Majority of suspected perpetrators are teenage boys targeting female acquaintances
Source: AP NEWS