"Stop the n-bunbang" Ministry of Science and ICT Holds Meeting to Advance Digital Sex Crime Response Technologies

[Asia Economy Reporter Seolgina Jo] "The Telegram n-bang case is a very serious criminal act. More effective research and development (R&D) policies are needed to eradicate digital sex crimes."

The government has begun discussing technical countermeasures against increasingly sophisticated digital sex crimes. It is also gathering opinions on R&D requirements necessary for victim protection, criminal investigation, and punishment in the field.

The Ministry of Science and ICT announced on the afternoon of the 31st that it held a 'Policy Meeting on Advancing Digital Sex Crime Response Technologies' at Seoul Central Post Office, attended by related ministries including the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family, the Korea Communications Commission, the National Police Agency, as well as R&D and private policy experts.

At the meeting, the current status of ICT R&D for preventing digital sex crimes was reviewed in light of the recent 'Telegram n-bang' incident, and technical countermeasures necessary to prevent and eradicate such crimes in the future were discussed. The recent trends and types of digital sex crimes were analyzed, and evaluations of the achievements and limitations of government-led R&D efforts to date were also conducted.

Furthermore, broad opinions will be collected on future R&D directions to prevent and respond to new types of digital sex crimes such as deepfakes, as well as on the utilization and adoption of private sector technologies and R&D requirements needed for victim protection, criminal investigation, and punishment in actual field situations.

Jang Seok-young, the 2nd Vice Minister who presided over the meeting, stated, "Digital sex crimes like the recent 'Telegram n-bang' case are very serious criminal acts that threaten not only the victims but also the safety of all of us and our social community," adding, "Recognizing that ensuring the safety of citizens and resolving public and social issues is one of the important roles of national R&D, we will promote more systematic and effective R&D policies to eradicate digital sex crimes based on the discussions from this meeting."

The Ministry of Science and ICT plans to continuously expand 'social problem-solving' R&D that utilizes advanced ICT technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), big data, and 5G mobile communications to address issues threatening public safety like digital sex crimes. It also intends to strengthen collaboration with related ministries including the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family, the Korea Communications Commission, and the National Police Agency to focus on developing technologies needed in policy implementation processes and actual field operations.