Teenager Referred to Prosecutors for Producing and Distributing Deepfake Sexual Crime Content Using Female Classmates' Photos
Suspected Violation of the Act on Special Cases Concerning the Punishment of Sexual Crimes
A high school student has been referred to prosecutors on charges of producing and distributing deepfake (manipulated video) sexual crime content targeting classmates.
According to Yonhap News on July 22, a police station in Chungnam booked high school student "A" without detention on suspicion of violating the Act on Special Cases Concerning the Punishment of Sexual Crimes, and referred the case to the prosecution.
"A" is accused of making and distributing deepfake sexual crime material by using photos of three female classmates in May.
Police, after analyzing "A"'s mobile phone and securing evidence, determined that the allegations were substantiated and referred the case to prosecutors.
The school violence review committee reportedly ordered "A" to transfer to another school as a disciplinary measure.
Despite growing seriousness surrounding deepfake sexual crimes, some teenagers continue to make and share fake sexual videos manipulated with classmates’ faces.
According to the National Office of Investigation of the National Police Agency, as part of the "2026 Intensive Crackdown on Cyber Sexual Violence Crimes" conducted from November 17, 2025, to last month, authorities uncovered 1,446 cases of cyber sexual crimes—including the creation, operation, dissemination, purchase, possession, or viewing of sexually exploitative and illegal videos—resulting in the arrest of 1,506 individuals. Of these, 87 were taken into custody.
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Among the suspects, those in their teens and twenties—familiar with digital media—accounted for about 80% of the total. By age group, teenagers made up the largest share at 46.9%, followed by those in their twenties at 31.2%, thirties at 14.4%, forties at 4.7%, and those in their fifties and above at 2.7%.
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