A South Korean court has handed down a suspended prison sentence to a 20-year-old man for creating and distributing deepfake pornography featuring female internet broadcasters. The Cheongju District Court sentenced the man, identified only as A, to eight months in prison, suspended for two years, on charges of violating the Act on Special Cases Concerning the Punishment, etc. Of Sexual Violence Crimes, specifically related to the dissemination of false visual material.
According to court documents and reports from multiple Korean news outlets, A uploaded seven instances of the illicit content to Telegram group chats between July and September of 2023. The material consisted of fabricated videos and images combining the faces of popular female broadcasters with the bodies of other women.
Judge Kang Geon-woo, presiding over the case, acknowledged the severe emotional distress caused to the victims, stating that the act demonstrated a significant disregard for their dignity. News1 Korea reported the court emphasized the “great sexual humiliation” experienced by the broadcasters.
Even as acknowledging the seriousness of the offense, Judge Kang also considered mitigating factors during sentencing. The court noted that A committed the crimes shortly after turning 18 and that the distribution was not targeted at specific individuals, but rather disseminated within broader online groups. SBS News reported the judge stated A’s age and the non-targeted nature of the distribution were considered when determining the sentence.
The court’s decision highlights the growing legal challenges posed by deepfake technology and the increasing prevalence of non-consensual intimate imagery online. The case also serves as a warning, as noted by SBS News, that anonymity offered by platforms like Telegram does not guarantee immunity from prosecution. The Chosun Ilbo reported similar cases are being actively investigated by authorities.
The prosecution argued for a harsher penalty, emphasizing the damaging impact of deepfake pornography on victims and the need to deter similar offenses. However, the defense argued for leniency, citing A’s youth and lack of prior criminal record. The court ultimately settled on a suspended sentence, allowing A to remain free under certain conditions, including a period of probation and potential community service.
