NEWS: Conviction of “A” for sexually suggestive deepfakes

Faces of members from popular idol groups such as AESPA, LE SSERAFIM, and NEWJEANS were superimposed onto photos of nude bodies to produce and distribute sexually exploitative content, and the man responsible has been sentenced to a suspended prison term.

According to the judicial authorities on January 25, the 11th Criminal Division of the Uijeongbu District Court (presided over by Judge OH CHANG-SEOP) sentenced A, tried without detention for violating the Special Act on the Punishment of Sexual Crimes (manipulating and distributing deepfake videos, etc.), to one year and six months in prison with a three-year suspension.

The court also ordered him to complete 40 hours of sexual violence treatment classes and prohibited him, for a period of five years, from working in facilities related to children and adolescents as well as institutions serving people with disabilities.

A is accused of, between December 2024 and approximately four months later, exploiting a Telegram chat room and using editing software to produce and post about 330 fake video contents combining the faces of celebrities and acquaintances with photos of nude bodies. It was established that these fake contents included members of popular idol groups such as AESPA, LE SSERAFIM, and NEWJEANS.

The court emphasized that:

“A fabricated, for his sexual gratification and for display purposes, false video content likely to cause sexual humiliation to female celebrities and acquaintances, and posted them in chat rooms, which constitutes a serious offense,” adding that “the harm is significant as these videos could be distributed uncontrollably.”

However, it explained the rationale for the sentence, noting that “the sentence was determined taking into account all circumstances, including the fact that an agreement was reached with certain victims, that this is a first offense, and that no financial gain was obtained.”

Journalist: Shawn
Translator: Shawn
Source: Korean Media