Web Desk
South Korea is grappling with a disturbing rise in AI-driven digital sex crimes, as deepfake pornography and online abuse increasingly target young women and even children.
New figures from the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family and the Women’s Human Rights Institute show that over 10,000 people sought help from victim advocacy centers in 2024—a 14.7% increase from the previous year.
Teens and Young Women Most at Risk
More than 70% of the victims were female, with the majority in their teens or twenties.
Many reported being abused through social media, messaging apps, or anonymous online platforms.
Alarmingly, some victims were children under 10, highlighting how easily accessible AI tools are being used to exploit minors.
“The rise of AI has made it easier than ever for predators to manipulate and distribute sexually abusive content,” said an official from the Women’s Human Rights Institute.
Top 3 Forms of Abuse Identified
1. Distribution Anxiety
Victims fear their manipulated or explicit images might be leaked online, causing extreme psychological stress.
2. Blackmail and Threats
Perpetrators use AI-generated images to extort victims—often threatening to release fake explicit content unless demands are met.
3. Illegal Filming and Deepfakes
There’s been a threefold increase in deepfake porn cases in just one year, many involving doctored images of school and university students.
In one shocking case, a college student and several peers used AI to create deepfake nudes of female classmates and shared them on Telegram.
Illicit Content Hard to Takedown
In 2024 alone, over 300,000 pieces of illegal content were removed by authorities.
However, the fight is far from over. Most of the harmful material is hosted on foreign servers, making takedown efforts slow and legally complex.
Government Vows Stronger Action
To address the crisis, the South Korean government is rolling out several measures:
Expanded digital safety education in schools and communities.
Greater victim support, including psychological help and legal aid.
New legislation to enable removal of personal data alongside explicit content, reducing long-term harm.
“We must ensure that AI does not become a tool of violence,” said a spokesperson for the Ministry of Gender Equality.
Call for International Cooperation
Experts warn that without cross-border regulation and collaboration, it will remain difficult to shut down international platforms that host or spread illegal AI-generated content.
