On the 17th, a post titled "Pictures You Should Run Away From Without Looking Back If Found in a Motel" was uploaded to an online community. [Photo by Online Community Capture]
[Asia Economy Reporter Hwang Sumi] "If this picture frame is hanging in your accommodation, get out immediately"
Claims have been raised that some picture frames decorating the walls of accommodations secretly contain hidden cameras.
On an online community, a post titled "Pictures you must run away from without looking back if found in a motel" was uploaded on the 17th. The author attached several photos of picture frames.
These were picture frames embedded with miniature hidden cameras for illegal filming. The author emphasized, "They are all easily sold on the market" and "Since these products are very common and actively sold, you must be aware of them."
They also warned, "Although they look like ordinary artworks, they use the uneven texture of oil paintings to hide the camera lens," and advised, "Be cautious of paintings with vivid oil painting textures rather than printed ones." They added, "Sellers are already selling multiple pictures by switching them."
On the 17th, an online community posted a screen capture from a domestic online shopping mall selling picture frame design hidden cameras, under the title "Pictures you should run away from without looking back if found in a motel." [Photo by Online Community Capture]
As it became known online that miniature cameras, which are easily used for illegal filming crimes, are being sold in various forms such as picture frames, fear of illegal filming crimes has increased.
In fact, crimes using miniature cameras continue. On the 16th, a man in his 40s, Mr. A, was caught by the police for secretly filming women's body parts at restaurants and cafes by inserting a miniature camera between his toes. Upon investigation, the police found a miniature camera about 2cm in size wedged between his toes, and Mr. A's smartphone contained hundreds of photos of women taken using this method.
It was also revealed that a hidden camera was found in a desk clock gifted by a workplace superior. The international human rights organization Human Rights Watch (HRW) introduced an incident in its report titled "My Life Is Not Your Porn: Digital Sex Crimes in Korea," released on the 15th, where a female office worker, Ms. B, discovered a camera in a desk clock gifted by her married superior, Mr. C.
According to the report, Ms. B became suspicious of Mr. C's behavior, which seemed like he was watching her at home, and searched the desk clock online, discovering that it contained a hidden camera.
On the 18th, a petition was posted on the Blue House National Petition Board requesting a ban on the sale of ultra-small cameras that could be used for criminal activities. [Photo by Blue House National Petition Board capture]
In relation to this, on the 18th, a petition was posted on the Blue House National Petition Board requesting a ban on the sale of miniature cameras that can be used for crimes.
The petitioner stated, "Crimes using miniature cameras for illegal filming are rapidly increasing," and appealed, "Please impose restrictions on the sale of electronic devices equipped with miniature cameras that can be purchased."
They warned, "They exist beside us disguised as glasses, pens, picture frames, clocks, water bottles, fire alarms, etc.," and added, "Anyone can be filmed."
They continued, "Miniature cameras can be easily purchased online with just a few clicks," and criticized, "Anyone can buy and use hidden cameras, and they are openly sold to the public without proper regulation." They also appealed, "Illegal filming has a very high recidivism rate and is a malicious crime," and requested, "Please regulate the distribution of miniature cameras."
As of the 20th, the petition has received about 75,000 signatures.
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