Police Refer Man in His 60s for Creating and Distributing Fake Obscene Materials Using Lee Eonju's Image

Charged With Defamation and Violation of the Sexual Crimes Act
"Strict Measures to Prevent Secondary Victimization"

A businessman who synthesized the face of Lee Eonju, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, to create and distribute fake obscene materials has been handed over to the prosecution.

Lee Eonju, a member of the Democratic Party, is holding an emergency press conference at the National Assembly Communication Office last January. Photo by Kim Hyunmin

The Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency’s Cyber Investigation Unit announced on July 24 that it has referred a man in his 60s, referred to as Mr. A, to the prosecution without detention on charges of distributing fake videos and defamation under the Act on Special Cases Concerning the Punishment, etc. of Sexual Crimes.

According to the police, on July 2, Mr. A was accused of editing and posting one fake video intended to cause sexual humiliation and three defamatory images targeting Assemblywoman Lee on social networking services (SNS).

The police are continuing their investigation into accounts that re-shared the fake videos created by Mr. A on online communities and SNS platforms.

A police official stated, "We will conduct a rigorous investigation into crimes that violate sexual dignity and human dignity, especially those occurring on online communities and SNS platforms, and will actively work with related agencies to prevent secondary victimization."

Earlier, on July 3, Assemblywoman Lee filed a complaint with the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency against those who created and disseminated the materials. In the complaint, she argued, "This creation is entirely unrelated to political expression or satire," and asserted, "It is malicious digital sexual violence intended to weaponize the sexuality of a female politician and damage her character and reputation."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.