Prosecutors Strictly Crack Down on ‘Possession and Viewing of Sexual Exploitation Material’... Actively Protect Digital Sex Crime Victims

Possession of Sexual Exploitation Material: Imprisonment Sought as Principle... Appeal Against Sentences Outside Sentencing Guidelines
Comprehensive Support Including Deletion and Blocking of Illegal Sexual Exploitation Material, Victim Psychological Treatment and Counseling

[Asia Economy Reporter Heo Kyung-jun] The prosecution has established a policy to strictly punish those who possess or view sexual exploitation materials in order to prevent their spread.

On the 7th, the Supreme Prosecutors' Office instructed local prosecutors' offices to thoroughly comply with relevant manuals and case handling standards and to actively respond during the trial phase to eradicate digital sex crimes and prevent the spread of sexual exploitation materials.

The prosecution has set a policy to strictly punish not only supply crimes involving the production and distribution of sexual exploitation materials but also demand crimes such as possession and viewing of such materials, and plans to strictly adhere to strengthened prosecution case handling standards for demand crimes and respond firmly in the future.

During the trial process, the prosecution has also made it mandatory to impose attendance and completion orders while requesting imprisonment in principle for those possessing sexual exploitation materials, clearly stating specific reasons for the sentencing requests. They also plan to actively appeal court rulings that deviate from sentencing guidelines.

Additionally, to protect victims of digital sex crimes, the Supreme Prosecutors' Office Cyber Investigation Division, together with the Digital Sex Crime Victim Support Center, will support the deletion and blocking of illegal sexual exploitation materials and ensure comprehensive support such as psychological treatment and counseling for victims.

Victims harmed by digital sex crimes can contact the prosecution office's victim support office or the prosecution office's civil complaint call center, or visit the nearest prosecution office civil complaint office to apply for support. Upon application, the prosecution will promptly proceed with victim support procedures.